If a police officer determines that you are operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol, he or she could arrest you for driving under the influence (DUI). You can also be arrested if you are found to have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher during the time you were operating your motor vehicle.
A DUI conviction can have serious consequences for your life. In addition to fines, jail time, and other potential legal penalties, a DUI conviction can limit your freedom and your ability to drive for a significant period of time. A DUI conviction on your criminal record can also have very serious and unforeseen consequences, such as impacting your ability to obtain new employment or advance in your current job; loss of professional license; and immigration consequences for countries like Canada and Mexico.
If you have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it is essential that you have an experienced attorney by your side representing you at every stage of your criminal case. The knowledgeable Maine criminal defense attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group can help you with your DUI defense and represent you at all of your court proceedings. Please contact us online today to learn more about how we could assist you with defending against your pending criminal charge.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
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Common Legal Penalties Associated with a DUI Conviction
If you are convicted of a DUI, you will likely be facing numerous penalties. The penalty that a judge imposes against you at a sentencing hearing depends largely upon the extent to which you were intoxicated, whether you caused a motor vehicle collision that injured or killed someone else, whether or not you have ever been convicted of a DUI in the past, and other aggravating circumstances such as having a child under 21 years old in the car, criminally speeding, failing to stop and if you had an abnormally high test result. Depending upon the circumstances, a DUI conviction could result in:
- Jail sentence
- Hefty monetary fines
- Community service
- Probation
- Driver’s license suspension
Loss of Freedom
In addition to these potential legal penalties that are commonly associated with a DUI conviction, you will also likely suffer a restriction on your freedom. This is because, following a DUI conviction, your license to drive will be suspended – at least for a period of time.
Depending on your circumstances, there are certain steps that you might be able to take in order to have your driver’s license reinstated. In some instances, you will need to take part in the ignition interlock device program. An ignition interlock device is installed on your vehicle, and you are required to blow into the device in order to start your vehicle. If the device detects any alcohol on your breath, the vehicle will not start. In addition to installation and maintenance fees, there are other significant expenses associated with keeping and maintaining the device.
Losing your freedom to drive can oftentimes be very difficult following a DUI conviction. You will likely need to rely on friends and family members for rides to work or school or your passengers will see your ignition interlock device. This can result in stressful situations, strained personal relationships, and embarrassment.
Criminal Conviction on Your Record
If you are convicted of driving under the influence, that conviction will appear on your criminal record. Having a DUI conviction or any conviction on your record, for that matter, can make it more difficult to achieve certain life goals. For example, you might have difficulty gaining admission to an educational institution, finding a place to rent, or getting a job.
Call an OUI Defense Lawyer in Maine Today
An experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference when it comes to formulating a strong offense that could prevent a DUI conviction altogether. At The Maine Criminal Defense Group, our legal team has an excellent track record of successfully representing and defending individuals who have been charged with DUIs.
Please contact us online to learn more about how we could assist.
Call 207-571-8146 or contact us online to schedule a consult with one of our highly skilled OUI & criminal defense attorneys today.
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