An arrest in and of itself doesn’t mean a person is guilty. But, when the person is arrested under suspicion of a DWI, they might feel as if there’s no way to prove they’re not guilty or to avoid a conviction. This could lead to serious repercussions for their future. Instead of trying to deal with it on their own, they should hire a DWI law attorney in Jerome, ID who can help minimize the impact the arrest will have on their future.
The Financial Impact of a DWI
The fines for a DWI conviction are up to $1,000 for a first offense. This is only the beginning of how much the DWI will cost to deal with. Even without a conviction, they will need to pay to have their license reinstated after the mandatory suspension.
If they’re convicted, they will need to pay court costs and other fees as well as potentially have to pay to have an IID (interlock ignition device) installed in their vehicle and have a higher insurance rate for a period of time.
Possible Jail Time and Other Sentences for a DWI
A first offense, if the person is convicted, includes up to six months in jail. In lieu of jail time or in addition to jail time, they might need to go through a substance abuse program (which they will need to pay for). These sentences can be much larger if the person is convicted of a first DWI that caused an accident or if there were other extenuating circumstances like young children in the vehicle.
The Impact on a Person’s Future
If convicted, the person will now have a criminal record which will follow them permanently. This can make it more difficult for them to find a job or a place to live and can impact their life significantly. If the person has never been arrested and convicted before, this could impact their life significantly.
If you’ve been arrested and charged with a DWI, you need help to minimize the cost of dealing with the DWI and to try to eliminate the repercussions it can have for you. Talk to a DWI law attorney in Jerome, ID to learn more about your case and to find out what can be done to help you avoid a conviction with the maximum penalties applied. Contact us today to get help for your case right away.
