Having a DUI on your record can cost you big time, not only in terms of an arrest and fines. The impact of a DUI goes beyond the court room, negatively affecting other aspects of an offender’s life. These negative impacts of a DUI on your record include:

• The Cost of Insurance – A DUI conviction will likely increment the cost of insurance premiums. It can also impact a driver’s ability to secure a policy in the first place. Major insurance carriers will usually check for traffic violations and dui convictions for up to three years on a policy holder’s motor vehicle record.

• The Cost Of A Defense Attorney – Chances are, offenders will want to reduce their fines and penalties to the lowest amounts possible. This will usually involve using the services of an attorney that specializes in DUI cases.

• Restrictions in Employment – Some companies are hesitant to hire prospects with a criminal record, regardless of the type of criminal offense. A DUI conviction especially, raises a red flag that a job candidate has a drinking problem.

• Driver’s License Suspension – One of the most common penalties for DUI convictions is the suspension of licenses. While the length of time will vary from state to state, this is one of the most popular orders by both the court and the DMV. This suspension means restrictions in moving from point A to B – independently.

DUI as the name suggests, is defined as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The United States Drunk Driving Accident Statistics (2010), revealed that 32 % of all accidents in the United States were caused by drunk driving alone. When an accident results in the death of someone else, an additional negative that offenders will have to face on their record is criminal charges for vehicular manslaughter.

A judge will consider whether a drunk driving offender has previous run-ins with DUI offenses, the level of alcohol at the time of driving, the offender’s age, the speed, and whether there were any casualties involved, before determining the fines and penalties for driving under the influence. Each State will have its own codes for different convictions, but their penalties and fines can be obtained at the dedicated site for Drunk Driving Laws.

Over time, a DUI conviction will fade into the background of a criminal record. This is because insurance companies or employers will only check within three to five years of an individual’s record.