For Oklahoma drivers who are charged with a DUI while traveling out of state, the legal consequences can extend across state lines. Here’s a brief explanation from a DUI lawyer in Oklahoma City of how an out-of-state DUI impacts Oklahoma residents.
How Out-of-State DUIs Affect Oklahoma Drivers: A DUI Lawyer in Oklahoma City Explains
State Cooperation and the Driver’s License Compact
Oklahoma is part of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC), an agreement between most states to exchange information about driving offenses, including DUI charges. If an Oklahoma driver is charged with a DUI in another state, that information is shared with Oklahoma’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), meaning the offense can impact the driver’s record and lead to penalties in their home state. Even though the violation happened outside of Oklahoma, the consequences, such as license suspension or fines, can still be enforced locally.
The DLC gives states the authority to treat out-of-state offenses as if they happened within their borders. This means Oklahoma can impose its own penalties, such as suspending a license or issuing fines, based on the out-of-state DUI conviction. In some cases, if the other state has more severe consequences, Oklahoma drivers may still be subject to those harsher penalties. This coordination ensures that drivers can’t escape DUI repercussions.
Impact on Driving Privileges
One potential consequence of an out-of-state DUI is the suspension of your Oklahoma driver’s license. If the state where the DUI occurred revokes or suspends your driving privileges, Oklahoma will likely honor that decision under the Driver’s License Compact (DLC). In some cases, Oklahoma may impose additional suspensions, depending on its specific state DUI laws and your driving history, meaning you could face stricter consequences than if the offense had occurred in Oklahoma.
If your license is suspended or revoked in another state, you cannot legally drive in Oklahoma until the suspension is lifted, even if Oklahoma law would not have suspended your license for the same offense. This is because the suspension applies to your driving privileges as a whole, across all states, not just in the state where the offense occurred.
Criminal Penalties and Oklahoma Law
Criminal consequences for a DUI charge in another state can also follow you back to Oklahoma. For instance, if you are convicted of a DUI in another state, that conviction will often appear on your criminal record in Oklahoma. Several factors may determine the severity of the penalties: for example, the state where the offense occurred, whether it was your first DUI, and whether any aggravating circumstances, such as a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or an accident, were involved.
Oklahoma treats out-of-state DUI convictions similarly to in-state convictions. This means you could face fines, jail time, or other criminal penalties upon your return to Oklahoma. If it is your second DUI offense, whether in Oklahoma or elsewhere, the penalties can become significantly more severe.
Mandatory DUI Programs and Out-of-State Convictions
Many states require drivers convicted of DUI to participate in mandatory programs, such as alcohol education, substance abuse counseling, or community service, as part of their sentencing. If you are convicted of a DUI in another state, Oklahoma may still require you to complete these programs, even if the state where the DUI occurred does not impose the same requirements. This is particularly common when Oklahoma’s laws are stricter than those of the state where the offense took place.
Failure to complete court-ordered programs can result in additional penalties, such as extended license suspension or even further criminal charges. In some cases, Oklahoma may not reinstate your driving privileges until you provide proof that you have completed the required courses. Additionally, you may face challenges renewing your auto insurance if these obligations are not met, as insurance companies often require confirmation of program completion for policyholders with DUI convictions.
Insurance Implications for Oklahoma Drivers
A DUI conviction, whether in-state or out-of-state, will almost certainly have a significant impact on your auto insurance. In most cases, a DUI results in a substantial increase in insurance premiums. Oklahoma drivers who are convicted of a DUI will likely see their insurance costs rise once their policy is up for renewal, regardless of whether the conviction was out of state or not.
Insurance companies generally treat out-of-state DUIs the same as those that occur in Oklahoma. In some cases, your insurance provider may require you to file an SR-22 form, which is a certificate proving that you have the minimum insurance coverage required by law. Oklahoma drivers with an SR-22 filing on their record may face higher insurance costs for several years.
Dealing With Probation for an Out-of-State DUI
In some cases, DUI convictions come with a probationary period during which you must comply with certain conditions, such as regular check-ins with a probation officer, abstaining from alcohol, or completing community service. If your DUI conviction occurs out of state, you may still be required to fulfill these probation conditions in Oklahoma. Failing to comply with probation conditions in either state can result in further legal penalties.
Reinstating Your License After an Out-of-State DUI
If your license is suspended due to an out-of-state DUI, Oklahoma will require you to go through a reinstatement process before you can drive legally again. The specific steps depend on the details of your case, but they usually involve completing any court-ordered programs, paying reinstatement fees, and meeting any other conditions imposed by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
Reinstating your license after an out-of-state suspension can be complicated, especially if there are unresolved legal issues in the state where the DUI occurred. In some cases, you may need to hire a lawyer in both the state of the offense and in Oklahoma to ensure that all requirements are met and that your driving privileges are fully restored.
Long-Term Consequences of an Out-of-State DUI
An out-of-state DUI can have long-lasting consequences, beyond just fines and license suspension. A DUI conviction, regardless of where it occurs, can affect your ability to get a job, secure housing, or even travel internationally. Many employers conduct background checks that include criminal records, and a DUI conviction can make it more difficult to pass these checks.
A DUI conviction can even impact your ability to obtain certain professional licenses or maintain current licenses, particularly in industries that require a clean driving or criminal record. If you are convicted of multiple DUIs, you may also face harsher penalties in the future, including longer jail sentences and larger fines.
Interstate Cooperation and Hiring a Lawyer
Since dealing with out-of-state DUIs can be complicated, it is a very good idea to work with a criminal defense lawyer who understands both Oklahoma law and the laws of the state where the offense occurred. Many states have different DUI laws, and penalties can vary widely, so finding a lawyer who is experienced in interstate DUI cases will help to work through the legal requirements that are required to reinstate your license in Oklahoma and help you avoid further penalties for failing to comply, such as extended license suspension, fines, and even jail time.
If you’re facing an out-of-state DUI charge, contact Cannon & Associates today for help with the complexities of interstate DUI law.