Did you get into trouble for getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence? If so, these life after DUI tips are worth checking out…
Each year, more than 1 million drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
Have you recently been arrested for such a crime? Are you feeling scared or confused about what will happen next? Do you want to start taking steps to turn things around and improve your life?
Getting arrested for driving under the influence is a low point in a lot of people’s lives, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to make a change.
Read on to learn some helpful life after DUI tips that you can start implementing today.
What are the Consequences of a DUI?
It’s against the law to drive in the U.S. if you have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above. In Utah, it’s against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 005 or above.
If you break these laws, you could face some pretty serious consequences, including the following:
- Suspension of your driver’s license
- A requirement to take and pass classes on the dangers of driving under the influence
- A requirement to attend counseling sessions
- A requirement to install an ignition interlock and take a breath test whenever you get behind the wheel
If you have been arrested multiple times for driving under the influence, you could also face jail time. This is also a likely possibility if you harm someone’s property or another driver while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Essential Life After DUI Tips
Clearly, driving while under the influence is a serious offense. Here’s what you can do to start moving forward.
Write Down the Details
The first step you should take after being pulled over or arrested for driving under the influence is to write down the details of the event. Take note of the following pieces of information:
- When were you stopped?
- Where were you stopped?
- Why were you stopped?
- Was a breath test administered?
- What did you tell the officer?
- Did the officer perform any other tests?
All of this information will be helpful to your lawyer.
Stay Off Social Media
Resist the urge to post anything about the issue on social media.
If you post admissions of guilt or any other compromising information on your social media profiles, that information could be used against you later.
It’s best to stay off social media altogether, or at least to avoid posting anything, until after your case has been completely wrapped up.
Don’t Turn to Alcohol
It may be tempting to use alcohol to help deal with stress during this period of your life.
The last thing you ought to do after receiving a DUI is to turn to alcohol to cope with your problems, though. Instead, now is a good time to assess whether or not you actually have a problem with alcohol.
Have you been drinking more than is healthy? Are you using alcohol to cope with other problems in your life?
Even if you don’t think that you have a drinking problem, becoming reliant on alcohol now certainly isn’t going to make your situation any easier.
Hire a DUI Lawyer
It’s important to have a DUI lawyer on your side. A Stuart DUI lawyer will help you to navigate the legal process and will represent you in court. They may be able to reduce your sentence or minimize your punishment, too.
When hiring a DUI lawyer, it’s important to make sure they’re qualified to handle your case. The following are some key factors to consider when hiring a DUI lawyer:
- Make sure they specialize in handling DUI cases
- Learn about their success rate
- Learn about their relationship with prosecutors
- Check their online reviews and testimonials to see what past clients are saying about them
- Learn about their education and experience
- Consider their fees
As the lawyer on this page points out, it’s also important to find someone who has great cross-examination skills. This will pay off when it comes to meeting with the arresting officer and other witnesses.
Seek Support
Going through the legal process after receiving a DUI can be very stressful.
You may be tempted to isolate yourself and try to avoid dealing with your problems. This is the exact opposite of what you should do during this time, though.
Reach out to friends or family and ask for their support and guidance. In addition to having a lawyer on your side, it’s also important to have loved ones in your corner.
Get Help
If you think that you do have a problem with alcohol, it’s important to reach out and get help.
Talk to your friends or family and ask if they can help you find a counselor or support group for folks who struggle with alcohol abuse. There are lots of online groups that you might want to consider joining, too.
In some cases, it might be beneficial to look into spending time at a drug and alcohol rehab facility. At this kind of facility, you’ll be monitored 24-7 and will have access to additional resources that will help you give up drinking for good.
Avoid Triggers
Finally, take steps to avoid triggers that might increase your desire to drink.
Remember, now is the time to abstain from alcohol, not to seek it out or put yourself in situations that will make you want to drink. Avoid friends who are heavy drinkers and stay away from parties where alcohol will be present.
Try to manage your stress in healthy ways (meditation, journaling, exercise, etc.) so that you’re not driven to drink when life gets challenging.
Learn More About Life After a DUI
As you can see, you can definitely move on from a DUI in a positive way if you keep these life after DUI tips in mind.
Follow these tips and you’ll have a much easier time turning things around and getting back on track.
Do you need more help in managing life after a DUI? Do you want to know what to expect from or how you can prepare for the legal process?
We’ve got lots of articles that can teach you everything you need to know. This article on having a successful DMV hearing after a DUI is a great starting point.
