Here are some of the many penalties and consequences you may face if convicted of a DUI.  Some are obvious and some you may not have thought of.

1. Driver’s License suspension – length varies. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you will face a new criminal case with mandatory jail time if convicted and further longer loss of license.

2. Jail Time – can be as long as five years or more if the DUI caused serious bodily injury or death.

3. Fines – for a DUI the lowest possible fine is $300. It can go up to $5,000. This is separate and apart from court costs which can be over $1000.00 and also fees for various things like booking and the chemical analysis of your blood or breath.

4. Increased car insurance costs. Few automobile insurance companies will keep you after one DUI. If you have two, you will likely be dropped. If you are on your third in your lifetime, you will have to go into the High Risk Pool. None of these are cheap. You will also find yourself not being offered the premium (lower cost) life and health insurances rates. Some policies may be cancelled or coverage totally denied.

5. Ignition Interlock device installation – requiring you to give breath analysis before your engine can start. Even a slice of pizza or a cup of coffee can cause false readings — leaving you stranded.

6. Job Termination – Company employee manual may require disclosure to Human Resources department. Then possible termination depending upon the type of work that you do.

7. Future Jobs: Very Unlikely – A DUI conviction stays on your record with the NCIC database, National Crime Information Center which is kept by the FBI FOREVER.

8. Occupational license affected or restricted – like Pilots, Teachers, Doctors, Commercial Drivers, Nurses, Attorneys, etc. may find that their professional licensure being placed on probation or revoked.

9. Major rental car companies will not rent vehicles to anyone with DUI — so pay for taxi out of pocket.

10. Mandatory DUI Alcohol Highway Safety School.

11. Mandatory drug and alcohol treatment.

12. Community service hours.

13. Travel to some countries, like Canada blocked or extremely difficult to obtain. You can even be turned back at the point of entry.

14. You may be denied naturalization to become a U.S. citizen for 5 years after DUI case is closed out.

15. If you have multiple DUIs then you may lose your right to own or transfer a firearm.

To learn more about how a DUI may affect you call 1-866-MCSHANE.

Justin McShane

PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.