A Rhode Island resident who is charged with DUI may lose the ability to practice law. This may be true whether you are currently practicing or are seeking your law license. In addition, you may face a variety of serious penalties such as a fine, a jail sentence or the need for an ignition interlock device) in your car.
How a DUI impacts your career
If you are charged or convicted with a felony, you may be seen as someone who is not of strong enough moral character to represent the public. In the event that you are convicted of a felony, your license may be suspended or revoked, and if you have not yet become an attorney, you may be barred from doing so at all. However, in most cases, a drunk driving charge is a misdemeanor as opposed to a felony.
Other penalties
In the event that you are convicted of a DUI, you could be subject to a license suspension or revocation. You could also spend several months or years behind bars if there are aggravating factors such as an extremely high blood alcohol content or the fact that you hurt or killed someone. If you are currently going to school, you may lose scholarships or other financial assistance.
Your response is important
Whether or not you get to keep your license depends on how you respond after a DUI. For example, if you agree to enter rehab, you may be seen as contrite and working to ensure that you don’t establish a pattern of poor behavior. However, if you fail to take responsibility for your actions, you may have a hard time staying in good standing with your peers.
If you are charged with a DUI, it may be possible to have it reduced or dismissed entirely. This may be done by casting doubt against evidence used in your case. For example, you could claim that a chemical test was performed incorrectly or by someone not trained to do so.