Deann Miles
A DUI is one of the more serious crimes you can commit and comes with a range of penalties. The severity of the penalties you face will also be based on how many DUIs you have had. For this reason, you will want to have your DUI charges dropped promptly or at least have your penalties lessened.
Jail Time
If you have been charged with a DUI, you will likely spend about a year in prison. You may be able to have the time you would spend in jail reduced but many states have a minimum number of days that you are required to spend in jail.
Fines
You will usually need to pay a fine. If you have committed multiple DUIs, the judge has the option to give you the same fine or increase the fine by a few hundred dollars. If you fail to pay your fines, the judge might issue a warrant to force you to attend court.
License Suspension
Your license will likely be suspended and the length of time in which it would be suspended increases each time you have a DUI. You will also likely be forced to use an ignition interlock device and the amount of time you must use this device can increase for each new DUI. If your license has been suspended, you may be able to obtain a hardship license that will allow you to drive to school and work.
Felony DUI
A felony DUI is a much more serious charge that can carry as much as a five year jail sentence. You will receive mandatory parole and you may be forced to pay a much larger fine. you might receive a felony if your license was suspended or revoked before. You may have had a child under the age of 15 in your vehicle. Also, if you should have had an interlock device in your vehicle and choose not to use it, this can lead to a felony.
Because of the seriousness of multiple DUI charges, it's especially important to fight your DUI charge if you have been charged with a DUI in the past. Fortunately, breathalyzer and sobriety tests are often not performed properly and you may be able to use this fact to have your charges dismissed. Even if you feel like there is no way you can fight your case, a DUI attorney might have some ideas.
If you are unable to work because of an illness or injury, you may qualify for social security disability payments. This money comes from a fund you have probably contributed to during your time in the work force, and it is likely that you have the right to disability payments using this money. As an attorney specializing in social security disability, I have a great deal of experience in helping clients determine if they qualify for disability payments. I hope that this blog will help people who have been injured understand what it means to qualify for social security disability benefits and how to go about getting that help.