Many people experience stress when they are charged with a DUI. This is understandable, because even your first DUI in Massachusetts stays on your record.
DUIs may affect employment
If you are convicted of a DUI, certain employers may not hire you. Examples of jobs that may not be available to you if you have a DUI conviction include:
- Jobs that handle confidential information
- Professional driving jobs
- Sales personnel
- Government jobs
- Medical jobs
- Teaching jobs
DUI convictions result in progressively worse penalties
DUI penalties become progressively worse after your first conviction.
Penalties for your first DUI conviction include:
- Up to 2.5 years in jail
- Fines of up to $5,0000
- License suspension for up to one year
Penalties for your second DUI conviction include:
- Mandatory 30 days in jail and up to 2.5 years in jail
- License suspension for up to two years
- Forced use of Interlock Ignition device
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Penalties for your third DUI conviction include:
- Mandatory 150 days in jail and up to five years in state prison
- Felony record
- License suspension for eight years
- Interlock Ignition device
- Up to $15,000 in fines
After your third conviction, you can face permanent forfeiting of your vehicle and a permanent loss of your driver’s license.
DUI convictions can result in civil lawsuits
If you are found guilty of a DUI following an accident that injured another party, you may also face civil lawsuits. These lawsuits can result in you paying for medical bills, property damage and suffering associated with the accident.
DUI convictions can be dismissed or reduced
Although DUI convictions are very serious charges, the charges can be dismissed or reduced in certain cases. As serious as the charges are, the burden of proof remains on the prosecutor, and that can be used to your advantage.