Being arrested for driving under the influence in Mississippi can be overwhelming. If it’s your first offense, you will probably be fearful anticipating what might happen. It’s important to know what to expect and how it can impact you mentally.
What happens after a DUI arrest?
A police officer can arrest you for driving under the influence, or DUI if they make you pull over and suspect that you’re intoxicated. You will be arrested, taken to the police station, fingerprinted, and photographed.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be released on bail if someone comes to pay and drive you home. However, you might have to spend the night in jail even if it’s your first DUI offense.
You will receive a summons to appear in court to face charges. You have the choice of pleading guilty or not guilty, but if the arresting officer has video footage of your behavior during the incident and shows you failing a sobriety test, it may not bode well for you.
If you’re convicted of a DUI, your driver’s license will be suspended for a certain length of time. Depending on the situation, however, you may be granted a temporary license only to drive to and from work or school.
You may be required to pay fines. The court may also order you to enter an alcohol treatment program or alcohol education course. A professional will evaluate you to determine whether you have a substance abuse disorder involving alcohol.
What impact does DUI have on mental health?
Many people who get charged with DUI have mental health conditions. Rather than a simple one-time slip-up, it’s possible to have an underlying mental health condition that may or may not have already been diagnosed.
People who get DUIs sometimes have depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, or PTSD. Although there seems to be a stigma surrounding mental health issues, if this is the case for you, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. Mental illness and alcohol substance abuse disorder are diseases that require treatment.
If you were arrested for a DUI and have a mental health issue, it’s important to get the help you need. You may be able to have the penalties of a conviction reduced by participating in a treatment program.
