Drennan Law Firm's Blog

With the holiday season here, people may start to go out and socialize more than usual. It's imperative that anyone who's going to drive understands that they need to avoid alcoholic beverages. Enforcement for drunk driving increases around the holidays.

The best thing you can do if you think that you will consume alcohol at a holiday party is to ensure that you have a way to get home safely. This can be taking a rideshare, having a designated driver, using public transportation or finding out if you can just sleep off the alcohol at the house where you are.

You carry car insurance, which is the law, and you've always been cautious not to drink and drive. Still, you found yourself accused of driving under the influence, because you were nodding off behind the wheel. The officer believed that you'd been using drugs, though you knew you hadn't been. Since you couldn't pass your field sobriety test, they took you in and persisted in the claim that you were intoxicated.

Now, you're dealing with a DUI charge and are worried about what will happen if you end up being convicted. You know you'll keep your job, because you had a discussion with your employer, but what about other fees and fines?

If you are accused of a DUI, one of the most pressing issues may be what will happen to your job. The reality is that many employers will terminate an employee who is convicted of a DUI, because they represent a threat to the company. You may even have a clause in your employment contract that states that certain convictions or arrests will lead to the loss of your job.

It's not unusual for companies to have mandatory firing policies stating that anyone who is convicted of a crime could be terminated. It may also be your responsibility to let your employer know if you have been arrested, so they can plan the next steps.

If you have more than one prior DUI conviction, you'll be facing serious consequences. You'll have your drivers' license revoked, and you may even be struggling to hold down a job as a result. Your DUI charges could have impacted your reputation among your family and friends, and you may be feeling more isolated than ever due to these charges.

If the previous DUI penalties did not stop you from drinking and driving again, you should consider other ways that you can prevent this type of dangerous and destructive behavior. One option is to give up alcohol completely, but those with alcohol dependence may not trust themselves to stay sober for a long period. This is why ignition interlock devices (IIDs) can be a useful tool that can prevent additional convictions and can save lives.