Most people in Polk County or elsewhere in Florida know that a DUI can have serious consequences including jail time, fines, DUI school, impounding of your vehicle and suspension of your driving privileges. However, lots of people never think of other less formal consequences that can result from a DUI conviction. Polk County DUI lawyer John Musca discussed some of these other less formal consequences in the context of two recent DUI cases.
A sheriff's deputy was recently arrested for a DUI after he was involved in a traffic collision. The officer's vehicle hit a concrete barrier and rolled over and rested on its roof. Investigation showed the deputy has been drinking and driving, and the officer was booked into jail on a count of driving under the influence. In addition to the customary consequences of a DUI conviction, this deputy's career is likely over. The same is true of attorneys, truck drivers, physicians and a myriad of other jobs and professions. A DUI can mean years of education and training is wasted. In the case of a career that involves significant higher education or training, a person may be left with significant student loans without the career earning capacity to repay those student loans. The financial burden this creates can mean family conflict and even bankruptcy.
Significant liability for damages in a civil case are another example of the consequences that can result from a DUI conviction. A woman recently plowed into 5 parked Cadillacs at a Cadillac dealership while driving under the influence of alcohol. The woman lost control of her car, which went airborne and hit 5 Cadillacs landing on the hood of one of them. In addition to the standard DUI penalties, the woman faces a civil lawsuit for the $48,000 in property damage she caused. If she is convicted of DUI, the car dealership will be able to use the guilty verdict in the DUI case to make it much easier to obtain a civil judgment for damages.
If a DUI case ends in a fatal collision the "other" consequences can be even more staggering. The driver's conviction will in most cases include termination of their employment (regardless of the type of job) as the case will likely result in jail time. The damage to one's reputation and the stress it creates for one's family can be overwhelming. The stress and guilt one feels in a situation like this also can have a long-term impact on one's relationships with friends, family and community.
Musca Law provides the highest quality criminal litigation services to the residents of Polk County and the surrounding areas. Our criminal defense attorneys have successfully tried, defended, and appealed hundreds of cases in both state and federal courts throughout Florida. These cases include, but are not limited to felony cases, misdemeanor cases, DUI, drug crimes, federal crimes, domestic violence, theft crimes, sex crimes, probation violations, white collar crimes, violent crimes, and motor vehicle offenses.
