Driving while intoxicated is a crime that is frowned upon in every state- but it is particularly punished in Missouri. One will find little sympathy when convicted, and if one is lucky, learning from such a foolish mistake is possible through the classes and fines paid in restitution.
If your arrest was the first, you will be able to plead your case and hopefully avoid jail time. You will for sure lose your driving license for thirty days while you undergo a suspension process. You may only get reinstated after ninety days, but you will be eligible for a restricted driver’s permit after thirty days. The restricted license allows you to go to work and school as needed, but nowhere else.
Being caught the second time just proves to the judicial system that one has not learned his or her lesson. Penalties will be more severe, with higher fines and even a jail sentence looming over the head of the repeat offender. The second DUI will look poorly on one’s criminal history, making it hard to find a job among businesses that offer competitive wages.
Getting a third DWI proves that the legal system has failed. After the third arrest, a DWI offender will more than likely be put into jail and receive an extended probation. Fines can total to a large amount, which can put the possibility of getting the license back slim during the near future. Criminal background checks will pick up the three DWI convictions.
All DWI offenders go through a program named the Substance Abuse Traffic Offender program. This program is referred to as SATOP, and is required by the courts for all DWI offenders to take before getting a license back. The DWI class will teach students the effects of alcohol, what’s considered safe, driving regulations, and try to convey how wrong it is to even risk the lives of others while on the open road and intoxicated.
SR-22 insurance is perhaps the most costly part of getting a DWI. This type of insurance profiles you as a high-risk driver for a minimum of two years. For the next two years, you can expect insurance companies to discriminate against your lack of responsibility and charge inflated insurance rates. You might even find that insurance is unaffordable or that your company kicks you off your plan.
Final Thoughts
Most offenders are young and will soon find that a DUI will severely impact job opportunities and one’s reputation among the community. Not all is lost; you may still redeem yourself by becoming a supporter of stopping drunk drivers and turning a new leaf.
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