Holidays are for celebrations and family gatherings. It’s also a time when alcohol flows in specialty drinks such as eggnog and Tom and Jerry’s. These holiday favorites go down easy, and before you know it, you’ve had too many.
Unfortunately, one night of Christmas or New Year’s Eve parties and poor judgment can turn into a DUI arrest that goes beyond the holiday season and extends far into the new year.
DUI enforcement is more aggressive during the holidays
You can expect law enforcement agencies to increase DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the holidays. Drivers are more likely to be stopped late at night or near popular event locations. Heightened alert means that even minor driving issues, such as a brief lane drift, can lead to a traffic stop.
Having a DUI charge during the holidays is bad enough; however, a conviction carries significant penalties that can follow you into the new year, even for a first offense, including:
- Fines
- Court fees
- Possible jail time
- Mandatory alcohol or drug education programs
- A criminal record
If it’s a repeat offense, involves an accident or involves minors, the penalties become even harsher and could include felony charges.
An immediate impact of a DUI is the potential suspension of your driver’s license. Losing your driving privileges can affect:
- Your ability to get to work
- Family responsibilities, such as taking children to daycare, school or extracurricular activities
- Running errands and going to medical appointments
A DUI can also be financially devastating. If you don’t have some sort of emergency fund, you will be struggling to pay your bills on top of increased insurance premiums, attorney’s fees, bail and towing fees.
But it’s important to remember that a DUI arrest doesn’t automatically mean a DUI conviction. A legal professional can review the details of your case and work to try and get the charges reduced or dismissed. Contact one as soon as possible to help protect your rights and your future.
