One Mistake to Avoid During the Holidays
Avoid these DUI/DWI Penalties
After a night out during the holidays, you may have had the best of intentions to call an Uber or ride with a friend. You think to yourself it was only a couple of drinks and proceed to drive home, that is when you are pulled over for DUI/DWI. Not only are you headed to jail for the remainder of the night, but you may also face a variety of unexpected ramifications.
A single drinking and driving infraction can have legal, financial, personal, and even professional ramifications. Below you will find a list of the most common penalties for DUI/DWI.
- Most states suspend your license for varying lengths of time — in Georgia, you can expect a minimum of 120 days.
- Some states require mandatory jail time — even for a first offense — as well as fees and fines.
- You may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car; if it detects alcohol, it will prevent you from operating the vehicle.
- A single conviction may lead to job loss or restrictions (i.e., operating company vehicles).
- Higher insurance rates almost always accompany a conviction. If you were involved in an accident as a result of impaired driving, your insurance may deny payment and or cancel your policy.
Can DUI/DWI Impact my Immigration Status?
Most non-U.S. citizens convicted of a single DUI will face similar consequences as a citizen; however, an undocumented individual may face possible deportation — not for the DUI, but for being present unlawfully. Under certain circumstances, driving under the influence can become a deportable crime or make an individual inadmissible by law. For more information regarding inadmissibility, visit this blog post.
DUI crimes that can subject a non-citizen to deportation and/or inadmissibility include:
- Driving while under the influence of drugs,
- DUI with a child or minor in the vehicle, or
- Multiple criminal convictions.
To avoid possible deportation, you should hire an experienced attorney immediately. Our attorneys fight for the best possible outcome and seek to reduce or drop charges. Quick action is imperative.
Take Action Now
If you are thinking you can just hire an attorney to expunge or “erase” the conviction later down the road, that may not be the case in your state. Unfortunately, a DUI/DWI conviction in Georgia can never be expunged from your record, unless the charge was dismissed or otherwise not prosecuted. That is why the attorneys of LaGrone Law recommend taking your case seriously from the start. Even if your case is dismissed in court, it could still appear on your record without further action on your part. Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys will ensure you understand the legalities of a DUI/DWI case and guide you through the process to ensure the impact of this one mistake is minimized.
If you’ve been charged with DUI or DWI, contact our criminal defense office immediately. We can’t stress enough the importance of quick action. Call LaGrone Law now to schedule a consultation or call us at 678-250-5449 for immediate assistance.
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