| A driving under the influence (DUI) charge is something | | | | are placed on probation, which you could be for up to |
| that affects normal people every day. Contrary to | | | | five years, you must pay a probation fee as well as |
| popular belief, they are not relegated solely to drunks | | | | other costs associated with the course your probation |
| and winos stumbling out of the watering hole after five | | | | officer assigns you to. Those assigned to counseling |
| hours of hard drinking and fall-sitting into the driver's | | | | must pay for this out of pocket as well. When it is all |
| seat. In fact the majority of the DUI charges are | | | | said and done, $5,000 is a low estimate. |
| actually levied against people between a.08 and a.12 | | | | If that sounds intense, consider this: that is for first time |
| blood alcohol content (BAC). For some smaller people | | | | offenders with a BAC between.05 (if impaired) and.15. |
| who may not have a large diet this could be as few | | | | If you look at the high end for a first timer (above.15 |
| as three beers. Think back to the last time you had a | | | | BAC) you are looking at $2,500-$10,000, thirty days in |
| few drinks after work and drove home. You probably | | | | jail, and you must attend the counseling and receive an |
| didn't think anything of it at the time, but there's a good | | | | ignition interlock device. In either case, your license will |
| chance you were actually over the limit. | | | | be suspended for ninety days. Some of this can be |
| Fast forward through the event itself. Once it is said | | | | abated if you have a reliable DUI lawyer, however |
| and done, there are serious ramifications on your life | | | | nothing is certain. |
| after the fact. I'll focus on Arizona, because it is the | | | | After it is all said and done, you will be thousands of |
| state I am from and am most familiar with. Here, the | | | | dollars shorter and have done some jail time. Many |
| biggest shock to most people is that they now have to | | | | people lose their jobs due to not having a license for |
| spend ten days in jail, with the first being the night of | | | | ninety days, and can have serious social or |
| their DUI. While sometimes the remaining nine days are | | | | professional consequences due to the stigma of a DUI. |
| waived, courts these days are often sending people | | | | The best way to avoid a DUI is simple: Don't drink and |
| off to spend the week in Tent City. | | | | drive! The limit is much lower than most people think, |
| Aside from the bewilderment of being incarcerated for | | | | and those times when you think you are "good to go," |
| the first time, there is also hefty financial damage done. | | | | you could be stopped and arrested and suddenly find |
| According to the statute, the fine totals at $1,250. This | | | | yourself in a cold cell without dinner. There are |
| does not tell the whole story, however. Many people | | | | commercially available BAC machines or strips to |
| are ordered to get an ignition interlock device. You | | | | check yourself before you leave a bar, and I always |
| have to purchase this device yourself, and up to | | | | recommend people have a good DUI attorney's |
| several times a month report to have the results | | | | information with them. The bottom line is, if you take |
| checked by a state-verified technician. You must pay | | | | the risk of drinking and driving, those three beers could |
| for each and every one of these visits as well. If you | | | | cost you a chunk of your freedom AND your cash! |