Each year, 1.5 million people are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The consequences they face can range from the inconvenient to the life altering, not to mention having to live with the danger they posed to others when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. For these reasons, it’s crucial that all drivers understand the potential consequences they could face when arrested for drunk driving; below, DUI lawyer Thomas W. Smothers, Attorney at Law, in High Point, NC, discusses a few of the possible penalties in more detail.

4 Potential Penalties of a DUI

1. License Suspension

In every state, a drunk driver will have their license suspended for a period of time. This is even true for first-time offenders. The amount of time will largely depend on whether this is a repeat offense, your age—those under 21 tend to face longer suspensions— and certain mitigating factors, such as your blood alcohol content and whether another traffic law was broken at the same time. In some cases, limited driving privileges might be reinstated after a few days have passed.

2. Fines

A convicted drunk driver will also have to pay fines. In North Carolina, a first-time offender with a Level 5 offense—the least serious of the state's multilevel DUI system—will have to pay $200. The fines for repeat offenders vary significantly based on the level of the offense, but it can range from $500 to $10,000.

3. Jail Time

In general, a North Carolinian convicted of drunk driving will be required to spend at least some time behind bars. For a first offense, this is often just 24 hours. A second offense comes with a four-day sentence. A third offense is 14 to 30 days. It's important to note, however, that if other aggravating factors are present, the sentence can be increased to a minimum of 12 months. If you're unclear about the amount of time you'll be behind bars, always consult a DUI lawyer.

4. Injury to Others

Of all the possible consequences of a DUI, one of the toughest to live with is that you might have injured others while you were under the influence. This can cause extreme distress and mental upheaval. Many people understandably turn to helping professionals, like therapists or clergy, to help them deal with the emotional fallout from their actions.

Having the support of a skilled DUI lawyer will make the entire legal process easier to navigate. Trust Thomas W. Smothers, Attorney at Law, to look out for you. He represents clients facing criminal law or DUI charges in Guilford, Davidson, Randolph, and Forsyth counties. Call (336) 885-1240 or visit him online to schedule a free consultation.