For nearly 1,000,000 people each year a night of partying can take an ugly turn due to an arrest for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. Getting a DUI arrest resolved can be a lengthy process, but few people realize that the consequences of a DUI arrest can follow them well into the future.
Here are 3 ways a DUI can come back to haunt you.
1. A DUI arrest could affect your eligibility for educational scholarships.
With the average cost of college tuition at a modest state school reaching $22,826 for the 2013-2014 academic year, many people rely on scholarship money to help fund their college degree. Unfortunately, being arrested for a DUI could compromise your eligibility to receive scholarship money.
Some schools will not accept new students with a DUI arrest on record, and others will revoke or deny any previously offered money once word of a DUI arrest is received. Knowing that a DUI could affect your scholarship fund will allow you to be proactive and work with a school official to resolve any potential problems in the future.
2. A DUI arrest could negatively affect your personal relationships.
Few people take the time to consider how their DUI arrest will affect others. Although the person charged with a DUI is ultimately responsible for clearing up these charges, friends and family members must also bear the consequences.
Marriages are particularly vulnerable to the stress brought on by a DUI charge. The average cost of defending a DUI arrest is between $2,500 and $5,000. If you are arrested for a DUI your spouse must also bear the financial responsibility for your defense, which could create a rift in your marriage.
3. A DUI arrest could cost result in the loss of your job.
Although the loss of your job is not a mandatory punishment when being arrested for a DUI, these arrests tend to have a negative effect on employment. If your driver's license is revoked, leaving you unable to legally operate a vehicle, you may find it difficult to travel to work on time.
The inability to drive can put those who rely on this skill to complete vital work tasks (like delivery persons or taxi drivers) out of work. Any employer who runs a criminal background check will be notified that you have been arrested for a DUI, so these charges could come back to haunt you as you seek for employment in the future.
Understanding the long-term consequences of driving under the influence of a controlled substance will allow you to see just how important it is to avoid engaging in this illegal act. If you are facing DUI charges, contact a DUI lawyer near you.
