How Can I Keep a DUI from Ruining my Life?
The DUI criminal defense attorneys at Cannon & Associates are Fierce Advocates for those facing the fear of losing their future or freedom based on a DUI conviction. We have fought for and successfully defended many clients facing DUI cases in Oklahoma.
Free Resources from OKC DUI Lawyers and Your Fierce Advocates®:
Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by our founder and Army veteran, John Cannon. We are privileged to defend clients facing OKC DUI charges, Edmond DUI charges, and DUI charges across Oklahoma. We also fight for client’s driving privileges following an Oklahoma DUI arrest. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!
7 Consequences of a DUI Conviction and How to Avoid a DUI Conviction in Oklahoma
Drunk driving, to many, is just another offense. However, it isn’t not the case if you are facing a DUI or APC charge in Oklahoma. Drunk driving is a serious criminal offense and a conviction can affect your life now and in the future. A DUI or APC conviction in Oklahoma may result in jail time, if you are convicted or prison time for a second or subsequent DUI offense.
With a DUI conviction, you may find yourself faced with a heavy fine or even jail time. To put things in perspective, here are some of the ways a DUI conviction can affect your life and why it is so important to hire an experienced Oklahoma DUI defense attorney or DUI defense firm to fight for you. It is vital to your freedom and future that you retain an experienced DUI defense team to represented you, if you have been arrested or charged with APC or DUI in Oklahoma. The following are 7 Consequences of a DUI Conviction and How to Avoid a DUI Conviction in Oklahoma.
Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Oklahoma
1. Jail Time
One of the commonest fears when it comes to a DUI conviction is jail time. The length of the sentence will depend on a wide range of factors including complicating factors, whether or not it is your first DUI case, and more. Defendants convicted for the first time DUI may spend between 10 days and one year in jail. The length increases for subsequent convictions to potential prison time.
2. Revocation of Driving Privileges
Another significant part of a DUI arrest or conviction is the revocation or suspension of your driver’s license. First-time offenders may face as little as six months of license suspension and it climbs higher for repeat offenders. Learn more about the impacts on your driver’s license at our page IDAP and DPS.
3. Fines and Court Costs
Asides from the fear of going to jail and having your license suspended or revoked, you also have fines and court costs to consider. There is a higher chance you could be fined anywhere from $250 to $10,000 or more, depending on the severity of the offense. In addition to this, you also need to pay your DUI lawyer for the legal services and probation costs and classes that may be required.
All of these can easily ruin your finances and take you from being financially stable to being in a difficult financial position. If the court has ordered an ignition interlock device to be installed, you also face some other costs which can easily amount to about $2000 or more. It is vital to your successfully negotiating the fines, court costs and expenses associated with a DUI conviction to retain experienced DUI defense counsel to help mitigate these expenses.
4. Insurance
Insurance companies are in the business of making profits. With your DUI conviction, you have become a risk to them. You will be required to pay a higher auto insurance rate which may further affect your finances, if your insurance company becomes aware of your DUI conviction.
5. Employment
Your current employer may terminate your employment after a DUI conviction. In addition to this, a DUI conviction may also limit the scope of jobs you will be considered for in the future. Most employers conduct a background check on applicants and this may get you screened out, against other applicants that are similarly qualified that do not have a DUI conviction on their record.
7. Education
Some schools have a policy of not taking applicants with past criminal records, even a DUI record. This means that you may be faced with a lot more challenges getting into the school of your choice, especially if the school has a policy in place against applicants with a criminal record.
7 Things to DO when Facing DUI Conviction
Don’t Drink and Drive
It may sound obvious, but the easiest way to avoid a DUI is to not drink and drive. With the prevalence of driving services, such as Lyft, Uber, and taxis, the most effective ways to prevent DUI from ruining your life is to avoid drunk driving. If you must drink, make sure you have a friend or family to take the wheels. In the absence of this, choose a ride-hailing service or take public transportation home.
Hire an Experienced DUI Lawyer
If you have been arrested for a DUI offense, the next step is to hire an experienced Oklahoma DUI attorney that can fight your case to a positive end. Choosing the right DUI attorney may be difficult but it is worth it in the end and can greatly impact the outcome you receive in your Oklahoma DUI case.
Get Treatment
Taking a proactive approach to facing a DUI arrest or potential conviction can assist you in avoiding a DUI conviction all together. When you develop a plan to address potential issue with alcohol or substance abuse before going to court, it may assist you in avoiding a DUI conviction in Oklahoma all together. Your chosen DUI defense attorney should be able to assist you in seeking treatment options in your case.
Protect Your Driver’s License
Even as a first-time DUI offender, you may lose your driver’s license. Losing it may complicate your job and can significantly affect your comfort and finances. You should try as hard as possible to protect your license by retaining counsel to assist you in the driver’s license process. Additionally, you may file a district court appeal, if your traffic stop was invalid and fight the arrest or participate in the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s IDA Program mentioned above.
Exhibit your Impact in the Community
Avoiding a DUI conviction is not impossible in these cases. When you are proactive participate in your case you may be able to avoid the negative consequences listed above. Your Oklahoma DUI defense attorney can assist you in identifying your unique story and exhibiting to the prosecutor that you are a contributing member of the community, either by seeking/maintaining employment or doing outreach to better the community.
Avoid a DUI Conviction
The Oklahoma DUI defense attorney you choose matters in your case. With a Fierce Advocate on your side, you may be able to avoid the negative consequences mentioned above, save your driver’s license, and avoid a DUI conviction. Many programs exist in most counties to address diversion options as well as a strategy may be developed with your chosen counsel to find a way through your case without a conviction.
Find Peace and Move On
The past does not define you. If you have been arrested, charged, and convicted, find peace with your past and strive hard to make a meaningful impact going forward.
APC and DUI DEFENSE IN OKLAHOMA
DUI charges are serious accusations and may result in life changing consequences, if you receive a conviction. You or your loved one need a Fierce Advocate to help you in your DUI case. Our team at Cannon & Associates has successfully defended clients facing DUI, APC, DWI and many other charges across Oklahoma.
We are led by John P. Cannon, a former Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Attorney General who prosecuted crimes in state court before becoming the experienced Edmond criminal defense attorney he is today. A successful DUI defense can result in a case dismissal, reduced charges, a not-guilty verdict, or simply avoiding the consequences of a DUI conviction or jail time for a DUI.
If you or a loved one has been charged or arrested for DUI, call us for a free confidential case evaluation. Our Edmond DUI Criminal Defense Firm, Cannon & Associates, is a FIERCE ADVOCATE and available to talk to you today.
Free Resources from OKC DUI Lawyers and Your Fierce Advocates®:
Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by our founder and Army veteran, John Cannon. We are privileged to defend clients facing OKC DUI charges, Edmond DUI charges, and DUI charges across Oklahoma. We also fight for client’s driving privileges following an Oklahoma DUI arrest. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!
Contact – Cannon & Associates: Your Result-Driven Oklahoma DUI Defense Lawyer
A DUI conviction can impact your life greatly. Choosing Cannon & Associates offers you the legal resources needed to fight your DUI charges. Contact Cannon & Associates by completing the CONTACT FORM ON THIS PAGE NOW or CALL at 405-657-2323 for a free confidential case evaluation.