Getting arrested for drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs is not something that anyone truly wants. In many cases where a person is caught for these violations, it is due to poor judgment. They are good people who put themselves in an unfortunate position. The question then is: should such a person be harangued by the charge for the rest of their life? Is that really the best way to discipline someone and ultimately try to correct their behavior?
The costs associated with a drunk driving charge are so immense that you could easily answer both of those questions with a terse “no.” Having a DUI haunt you forever is terrible. The financial costs alone are immense. An impounded car, towing fees, jail fees, court fees, penalties for the charge itself, loss of license, insurance premium increases, post-conviction treatment and therapy – these will all cost the individual a pretty penny, and they will dramatically alter the individual’s life.
Then there is the time lost to the charge itself. The time in court, the time in jail, the time in therapy, and the time dealing with the charge in general: you will never get these hours, days, weeks, and even months back.
Last but not least, there is the criminal history you will carry with you. That DUI will be a black mark on your record for a long time, making it difficult to pass background checks and, ultimately, affecting your ability to find new work or a new place to live.
