Have you recently been stopped and charged with OWI? If so, you may think that since this is considered a misdemeanor charge that it is really no big deal. However, you couldn’t be more wrong.
The truth is that, misdemeanor or not, OWI or Operating While Intoxicated is a huge deal. And the penalties for being found guilty of such a crime are huge. OWI is considered a progressive crime meaning that for each conviction subsequent to the first one the penalties become harsher and harsher in an attempt to prevent future infractions. In some cases and in most states, subsequent convictions can actually be moved up to a felony status, which can carry with it significant penalties and consequences. Here is what you need to know about OWI.
The first thing that you need to know is that you can’t go it alone. You need competent, experienced legal representation in order to ensure that you receive the least damaging penalty in the event that you are held responsible for your actions. In some cases, experienced lawyers are able to help their clients avoid having to receive any penalties at all in exchange for payment of a few fines and a promise to never do it again. However, this type of dispensation is usually reserved for first time offenders only.
The second thing you should know is that OWI cases are expensive. Unlike civil cases, criminal cases require you to pay for your legal services in advance of receiving services. In addition to the expensive legal services you will have to pay for, you should be expecting to pay a high fine as well as have to pay for the towing of your vehicle and any stint in rehab you are sentenced to. Of course, then you will have to factor in the cost of public transportation options since you will most likely have to surrender your driver’s license for a year or more.
Last but not least, an OWI arrest and conviction can cost you your job. Many employers cannot afford to have someone on the payroll that has broken such a high-profile law. They will find a reason to encourage you to move on to another job or fire you altogether, depending on the type of work you do. And, having a OWI can make it difficult to find another job, especially if you rely on your ability to drive to do your job. One reason is because you are likely to lose driving privileges when you are convicted of OWI. Secondly, it is extremely difficult to secure the type of insurance you need to have in order to operate a vehicle in accordance with financial responsibility laws.
As you can see, Arrest Records for infractions such as OWI can have a significant impact on your life and your finances. You can Click here for more info about the negative impacts that having an OWI on your record can have.
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Marchelle Lamaster
