Drunk Driving Lawyers Oakland County

You might not realize it, but the consequences of a DUI conviction can follow you for years after your case is over. It is important to hire a drunk driving lawyer in Oakland County as soon as possible after a DUI arrest. The sooner a lawyer becomes involved in your case, the better options they will have for resolving the charges against you. A comprehensive legal strategy can also mitigate some of the collateral damage that a DUI conviction can cause in other areas of your life. 

Here are just some of the potential consequences of a drunk driving conviction.

Criminal Penalties

Under Michigan law, a DUI conviction can result in both jail time and fines. In addition to this, you might have to pay court costs and restitution. It is possible to limit your jail time by entering into a plea agreement. Plea agreements often require community service, substance abuse counseling, and the installation of an ignition interlock device. 

Driver’s License Suspension

A DUI conviction results in the temporary suspension of your driving privileges. If you have prior DUI convictions, the suspension period can be longer. Your driving privileges can even be revoked entirely if you accrue enough points on your license. A driver’s license can also be suspended if the driver refuses to take a blood or breath test when an officer asks them to. A defense lawyer can challenge this suspension, but there is a very short time period in which to appeal the decision. This is just one of many reasons why it is so important to hire a Michigan drunk driving lawyer as soon as possible after any type of impaired driving arrest. 

Employment Problems and Professional License Discipline

Employers can create their own policies regarding employee discipline. A criminal conviction can result in problems with your employment. In some cases, this decision might not even be up to the employer. A conviction can affect security clearance, fingerprint clearance, and other clearances that are required to work at a particular job. A conviction can also result in discipline against your professional license. Doctors, lawyers, realtors, hairdressers, and many others all require a professional license from the state in order to lawfully practice their trades. A conviction can result in discipline that prevents you from working for any employer. 

The Loss of Parental Rights

A DUI conviction can be used as evidence in a child custody dispute. There does not even have to be a conviction in order for your parental rights to be affected. A family court judge can consider evidence of an arrest or dismissed charges – or even the other parent’s opinion that you were impaired. All of this evidence is considered relevant to the best interests of the child. 

Experienced Drunk Driving Lawyers in Oakland County

Contact us to schedule your free initial consultation as soon as possible. The sooner you have an experienced Oakland County DUI attorney from The Law Offices of Bradley J. Friedman on your side, the better you will be able to mitigate the consequences of a drunk driving conviction.