Motorists facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges in Pennsylvania often focus primarily on the various criminal penalties they could face in the event of a conviction. Judges can incarcerate them or order them to pay large fines. They may end up subject to a community service requirement or on probation for months.
Those penalties are cause for concern and may inspire people to mount a defense at a criminal trial. Defendants facing DUI charges also need to consider numerous secondary consequences that typically follow DUI convictions. The three issues below can make fighting a DUI charge worth the effort.
The loss of driving privileges
The judge hearing and DUI case can suspend a driver’s license as one of the penalties for a DUI offense. That suspension could last for multiple years in some cases. Motorists who lose their driving privileges can sometimes struggle to keep their jobs or care for their families. They may also face major expenses in the form of alternative transportation, like taxis. Especially when someone already has a prior DUI conviction on their record, a lengthy suspension is possible. Retaining driving privileges can be a powerful motivator to fight DUI charges.
The impact of a DUI on insurance
Liability insurance coverage is mandatory for all Pennsylvania drivers. They need to have coverage available to compensate others in case they cause massive property damage or expensive injuries to other people. In some cases, a DUI conviction can make a driver ineligible for the insurance policy they have previously carried. Other times, the insurance company may drastically increase their rates. That new, higher rate can remain in effect for multiple years after their conviction. Increased insurance costs can contribute quite a bit to the financial impact of a DUI conviction.
The issues caused by a criminal record
When people plead guilty to most traffic violations by paying a ticket, they don’t have to worry about a permanent criminal record. However, a DUI offense is a crime, not just a traffic violation. Drivers who plead guilty end up with a record that turns up whenever employers or landlords want to conduct a background check. They can lose out on job opportunities, chances to continue their education and even rental housing because of the criminal record that accompanies a DUI conviction.
Fighting DUI charges can help people to potentially avoid criminal and financial penalties. People who understand the long-term implications of a guilty plea may be more likely to see the value in defending against their pending charges.