A driving under the influence (DUI) charge in Oklahoma is far from a minor offense that carries only a slap on the wrist. Even if your arrest is the result of a traffic stop, not a car crash, the penalties that Oklahoma assesses could affect you for years to come.
Depending on your driving record and prior criminal charges, you could face jail time and more than $10,000 in fines and fees. Drunk driving allegations are different than other crimes in that they frequently lead to secondary consequences in the form of driving penalties.
Many states impose a mandatory license suspension period following a DUI conviction. Will you have to go without your driving privileges if you plead guilty or the courts convict you of a DUI?
The state can suspend your license
You can lose your license even before the courts convict you. The state can suspend your license or in certain cases, revoke it. The good news is that these penalties are not mandatory. You can ask for adjustments or fight back against them in court.
If you have already lost your license and want it reinstated, you may have to undergo an alcohol assessment and then install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. You will have to cover the costs of these services in addition to your court costs and fines.
A first-time DUI offense would lead to an IID requirement in your vehicle for 18 months. Someone convicted of a second offense may have to have the IID in their vehicle for up to four years if they are over the legal limit at the time of their arrest. Those with third or subsequent DUI convictions will have to install an IID for at least five years.
Losing your license is expensive
It will cost more than $100 to undergo an alcohol assessment and more than that to install an IID in your vehicle and then have it frequently calibrated. Defending against DUI allegations can be a much more cost-effective solution than losing your license and putting your job at risk because you have lost your driving privileges.
Learning of the possible consequences of a DUI offense can give you the inspiration you need to fight back in criminal court.