| Driving under the influence comes in all shapes and | | | | not worse, than the license suspension. Expect to pay |
| sizes. A DUI can stem from one drink too many or | | | | fines, court costs, lawyer costs and alcohol education |
| several too many. DUIs can be the result of anything | | | | costs. In addition, if your state has an accelerated |
| from a burnt out headlight or taillight to speeding, | | | | rehabilitation program, that will cost you as well. |
| careless driving or an accident. A DUI arrest can even | | | | Alcohol Education |
| be from an event that you seemingly had no control | | | | Alcohol education is mandatory in several states for |
| over, for example getting hit by a motorist who drove | | | | any alcohol related arrests, including DUI and DWI. As |
| through a red light. | | | | my Seattle DUI attorney pointed out, this can seem like |
| You should always closely monitor your alcohol intake | | | | a hassle in the beginning but goes a long way in |
| when you are planning on operating a vehicle. Your | | | | educating a person to not make the same mistake |
| body can metabolize roughly one drink an hour, which | | | | again. These classes can range from education from |
| equates to one beer, one glass of wine or one shot of | | | | a trained alcohol counselor to mandatory alcoholics |
| liquor. However, it is always recommended that drivers | | | | anonymous classes. |
| abstain from alcohol completely, or at least strictly limit | | | | Community Service |
| themselves to one drink. | | | | My Seattle DUI lawyer also pointed out that the |
| This sounds easy enough on paper, but when real life | | | | community service is along the same lines as the |
| circumstances enter the equation it can change. For a | | | | alcohol education. Although the mandatory hours of |
| variety of reasons, more than a few people have | | | | community service can be a burden, it can also help |
| driven an automobile while impaired. If you make this a | | | | you regain your mental well being. Helping people helps |
| regular habit or even if you just have one lapse of | | | | rid the embarrassment and shame of a DIU arrest. |
| judgment, you could be looking at your first DUI. Here is | | | | Most states issue community service hours in the |
| what to expect in most states from your first DUI, with | | | | same tiered system as the license suspension...the |
| some information courtesy of Bradley Johnson | | | | higher the BAC, the more hours. |
| Attorneys. | | | | Probation |
| Loss Of License | | | | The probation that goes along with a DUI arrest can |
| One of the major punishments associated with DUI | | | | be every bit as life altering as the license suspension. In |
| convictions is a loss of license. Most states have a | | | | Pennsylvania you are not even allowed in a bar while |
| tiered system, meaning the higher your blood alcohol | | | | on probation, let alone consume alcohol. In addition, all |
| level the more severe the punishment. Depending on | | | | firearms must be removed from your house while on |
| your level, you could lose your license anywhere from | | | | probation. In some states, it is mandatory to have your |
| two months to a year. | | | | BAC tested randomly throughout your probation as |
| Fines | | | | well. |
| The fines associated with a DUI are almost as bad, if | | | | |