HERE ARE THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES OF A DUI CONVICTION

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense with dire consequences. Depending on the severity of the offense, a DUI conviction can result in the suspension of your driver’s license, a fine or even jail time. However, these are only the direct consequences of a DUI conviction.

A DUI conviction may also carry a number of collateral consequences. Besides paying your dues to the government, you may have to contend with the following long-term consequences of a DUI conviction.

DUI CONVICTION CAN HURT YOUR CAREER

A DUI conviction can hurt your career in a number of ways. First, a conviction can hurt your prospects of getting college admission or student financing. And if you are on a scholarship, a DUI conviction can prompt the revocation of your scholarship.

Second, a DUI conviction on your record might pop up during the recruitment process when a prospective employer is running a background check on you. As you can imagine, having a criminal record is likely to hurt your chances of landing that dream job.

DUI CONVICTION CAN STRIP YOU OF CERTAIN RIGHTS

In North Carolina, you lose your right to vote while you are on probation or incarcerated for a criminal conviction. Meaning, if elections come around while you are in jail, then you may not participate in the electoral process. And that is not all. You cannot own a firearm if you have been convicted of a felony in North Carolina. If you are caught in possession of one, you will face possession of a firearm by a felon charge, which felony in itself.

DUI CONVICTION CAN HURT YOUR REPUTATION

Information pertaining to your arrest, charge and conviction will remain in the public domain regardless of a conviction or an acquittal. Of course, an expunction will remove your arrest record from the government’s database. However, do keep in mind that the internet never forgets.

A DUI conviction can impact your life in a number of ways. If you are arrested for DUI, it is important that you take appropriate steps to defend yourself.