If a court convicts you of driving under the influence (DUI) or you plead guilty to such charges without attempting to contest them, you will face a series of consequences.
While it is entirely up to you whether or not you try to contest a charge, only by understanding the full extent of the consequences can you make an informed choice.
The immediate consequences
In addition to imposing possible jail time, fines, alcohol treatment mandates, etc., if the court suspends your license, it could affect your ability to do all sorts of things. For example, commute to work, drive your children to out-of-school classes or drive your elderly mom to the doctor. If your job involves driving, you might lose it. Fines will harm your finances, and even a few nights in jail can be incredibly traumatic.
The interim consequence you might not have considered
Did you know that a DUI will push your insurance premiums up? In Michigan, you are likely to face a 166% increase after a DUI, and that will apply for the next five to 10 years.
The consequence that will follow you around for life
A conviction for drunk driving will result in a criminal record. Some people will treat you differently once you have one, regardless of whether you picked it up last week or twenty years ago. Among those who could treat you less favorably are employers and those seeking to fill voluntary positions of responsibility, education institutes and landlords.
There is always a chance to defeat a criminal charge, be it a DUI or something else. Getting help to learn more about your options and the full consequences of a conviction is, therefore, in your best interests.