It should come as no surprise to anyone that a DWI can bring your life to a grinding halt, but many people don’t realize just how long the consequences are going to haunt you if you are found guilty. A single DUI or DWI conviction could end up having a huge impact on your finances, career, and social life.

Transportation Problems

Just over one million people are arrested for impaired driving every single year, and some of those drivers have their licenses suspended or revoked. While there are a few steps that you can take to protect your license following a DUI arrest, you might end up having your license suspended for well over a year if you are found guilty. Without a license, getting around town is going to become a time-consuming and expensive task.

A Spike in Your Insurance

One of the reasons why many drivers seek out criminal defense attorneys following a DWI arrest is because they don’t want to deal with overwhelming insurance premiums. Even if your license isn’t suspended, you will still probably need to invest in specialty insurance. That specialty insurance typically costs quite a bit of money, and you might end up spending tens of thousands of dollars on insurance premiums in the coming years.

Issues With Your Current Employer

It is an unfortunate fact that many DUIs become public, and that will have a big impact on your professional life. In some cases, an employer might even fire an individual outright if the DUI or DWI has negatively impacted the company in any way. If you drive for a living, then having a DWI on your record means that you will most likely need to find a new career.

Limited Career Options in the Future

Every case is slightly different, but some drivers have their DUIs placed on their criminal records. When it comes time to apply for a new job, having that type of blemish on your record is going to be a major red flag. A DWI on your record is also going to impact your ability to apply for a home or car loan in the future.

These are just a few of the reasons why drivers must do everything in their power to fight DUI charges. With a little bit of hard work and some professional legal assistance, you can put yourself in the best possible position to have your charges reduced or dropped entirely.

Author's Bio: 

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.