A new job is an exciting opportunity. You start yours next week in Cape Coral, so over the weekend, you met friends at a local bar for a little celebration.
You decided to drive yourself home after having enjoyed a few drinks. Law enforcement caught you weaving and arrested you on suspicion of DUI. Now you face license revocation. How will you get to that new job?
Effects of a first offense
If this is your first drunk driving offense, the state will take away your driver’s license for up to 180 days. You depend on your SUV for everything: to get to work, run errands, take your pre-teen daughter to music lessons and so much more You would obviously find life without a car a major inconvenience, especially because you are about to start a new job. If testing during your arrest showed that your blood alcohol concentration level was more than 0.15%, the court will require you to have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle you operate, where it will remain for up to six months.
What to do
For a first-time conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol, you must schedule a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles for possible hardship license approval. This would allow you to at least drive to and from work. You must also attend DUI school.
Subsequent DUI convictions
If you have a second DUI conviction within five years, you are looking at a license revocation period of five years. You could still apply for a hardship license, but only after one year. Meanwhile, you must attend DUI school. In addition, you will have to remain in a DUI supervision program during the entire license revocation period. If you do not report for counseling or treatment, you will lose your hardship license.
Seeking help
Your family depends on you, and that new job in Cape Coral is waiting. So, if you are arrested for DUI, explore your legal options right away. A thorough investigation of the circumstances will begin to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.
