Emotional Impact of DUI: An Unforeseen Consequence

 

Many convicted of a DUI expect to endure heavy fines and sanctions on their driving privilege. What they may not anticipate is the heavy emotional toll that a DUI will have on themselves and their family. The below article looks at the gamut of emotions that are commonly experienced during and after a DUI conviction. Individuals frequently feel the knock-on emotional effects of their conviction months or even years after the original event took place. Far from being a fun ride, the stress and strain of dealing with a DUI is no day at the fair.

 

1. Shame

One of the most common emotions experienced after a DUI conviction is that of shame. For many, a DUI conviction is the first blemish they have on an otherwise clean slate. Most people convicted of DUI do not set out to break the law. They are generally law-abiding citizens, pay their taxes on time, and are not addicted to drugs or alcohol. Instead, they made a bad decision on one occasion. Oftentimes they did not even realize that they were over the legal limit to drive, or that a medication they have been prescribed was illegal to drive with in their system.

 

 

Branded a Criminal

 

In the time it takes for someone to be pulled over and arrested, normally not more than 30 minutes, they have gone from viewing themselves – and being viewed by the police – as an upstanding member of society to a common criminal. Upon arrest, they are handcuffed, put into the back of a patrol car, taken down to the precinct, fingerprinted, had mug-shots taken, stripped of their belongings, and locked in a cell. In short, they are treated like any other criminal that has broken the law. And that’s just the beginning.

 

 

Freedom Withheld

 

Not only will be the first time for many that their freedom has been taken away from them, this will be the first time they have experienced what it is like to be treated like a criminal and be the subject of a police investigation. For many, this is a deeply humiliating and shameful experience – especially when they need to call a friend or family member to come collect them from the police station, or bail them out of jail.

 

 

A Day or Three at Court

 

The sense of shame often does not disappear after being released from jail, and in fact often increases as the arrested party realizes they will now have to defend themselves – or hire a lawyer to do so – in a court of law, something they never imagined they would have to do being the law-abiding citizen they are. The average number of court appearances a DUI defendant has to make is 3, but this could be many more depending on the complexity of the case. One benefit of hiring an attorney is that they can often show up to court on the defendant’s behalf so they minimize the number of appearances they have to make. However, the defendant will still need to face the judge and possibly even a jury if their attorney decides the case should go to trial. This can be a deeply shameful experience for some, even if they believe they are innocent.

 

 

Becoming a High Risk to Society

 

After the court appearances and conviction – assuming their case is cut and dry - they will have to go through the task of reinstating their driver’s license which will likely involve getting a certificate of SR-22 insurance and taking it to the DMV. They will also get several points on an otherwise clean driving record. In addition, the DMV may require that they get an ignition interlock device installed, which requires the person to blow into an electronic breathalyzer device to prove they have not been drinking every single time they start their car. All of these things can be deeply shameful to someone who prided themselves on being a safe and responsible driver up to the point of their arrest.

 

 

Public Humiliation

 

Many states have taken a “name-and-shame” approach to drivers who are convicted of DUI. In parts of Texas for example, a mandatory punishment is cleaning litter from the highways while wearing vests emblazoned with “DWI”. They are also ordered to attend Victim Impact panels where they must face and answer to people who have been harmed – or had loved ones killed – by drivers under the influence. Most states also reveal names of criminals, including those arrested for DUI, to local newspapers who print humiliating mug shots, names and details of the offence in their paper or website for the entire world to see. These punishments are specifically designed to make the convicted party feel a deep sense of shame, so much so that they never commit the crime again.

 

2. Fear

For some, the scariest part of a DUI/DWI is not the initial arrest and subsequent appearances in court, but how the conviction will affect their ability to earn a living and support their family.

 

 

Devastating Financial Impact

 

Someone who drives a commercial vehicle will be particularly terrified of getting a DUI, as will someone who could have their professional license suspended or revoked as a result of a DUI as is the case for pilots, doctors and stockbrokers. The prospect of license suspension is equally scary for those who live in parts of the country where there is very limited public transportation and they rely on a car to and from work. Many will also be fearful about their ability to advance their careers now that they do not have a clean slate when a potential or current employer conducts a background check.

 

 

Transportation and Providing for the Family

 

People facing a license suspension will also worry considerably about how their ability to provide for their family will be affected – not only in terms of getting to work - but also in terms of how they are going to get their kids to school or to the doctor, how they are going to pick up groceries and medications, how they are going to visit friends and relatives. Basically, how they are going to function without a car at all.

 

A six month to a year’s license suspension can literally ruin a person’s life – and their family’s - if they are highly dependant on the convicted driver and his or her ability to drive. Yes, they will get their license back eventually but it could take months or even years to get fully back on their feet -- especially in today’s society where we are not the best at adapting to this type of upheaval. What car-owner doesn’t take for granted just how convenient and easy driving a car makes their lives?

 

 

3. Anger and Resentment

Anger and resentment are other very common emotions experienced by those convicted of a DUI/DWI. Like the other emotions listed above, anger and resentment can continue to build for a long time after the conviction, and can have a devastating effect on the convicted party’s happiness, relationships, and overall outlook on life.

 

 

I Thought the Law was on My Side

 

The vast majority of DUIs are committed by first-time offenders -- regular people like you and I who happened to make a bad decision one time. They are often incredulous therefore as to how they now find themselves on the wrong side of the law, treated like a criminal by the police, and being labeled as a criminal on their record -- at least until the charge can be expunged (although the arrest itself remains permanently). They may be angry and resentful toward the law and the city and state government in which they live. They may feel they didn’t do anything wrong - just had a couple of drinks after work - but felt fine to drive and didn’t come close to getting in an accident.

 

Now they have to pay thousands of dollars in fines, go to jail, take time off work, do community service, attend alcohol classes, and lose their driving privilege for a significant period of time. They may question the severity of these punishments in relation to their crime, and question whether the city or state in which they live is merely trying to squeeze them for more of their hard-earned cash, especially given the exorbitant fees for towing and storing impounded cars.

 

This anger and resentment can build and breed and change a person’s overall demeanor, mood and outlook on life. While some view a DUI as a positive thing - because it forces them to evaluate themselves and deal with a drinking or drug problem that may otherwise have only gotten worse – others will feel that they are in fact a victim of a machine which is designed to generate income for the government, rather than deal with the problem of providing adequate transportation to its population and better educating its citizens about the consequences of driving while under the influence before they find themselves in this situation.

 

 

Family Resentment

 

Because of the negative effects on the family unit discussed above, there could be considerable stress on the convicted party and his or her interpersonal relationships, especially with those closest to them such as their spouse or children. Depending on the type of partner or family they have, they could repeatedly be made to feel guilty or inadequate for the mistake they made, and may be furious at themselves for letting their family down.

 

4. Depression

Clearly we have seen the emotional drain that a DUI/DWI conviction can have on a person. It is not surprising then that a long-term and seriously debilitating effect on the convicted party is depression. Because of the stress, upheaval in their life, and financial burden caused by the DUI, they may feel like they no longer have the life they once had. They may not be able to or want to socialize anymore, especially if that socializing often involves alcohol use. They may start to feel the world is against them, or feel a deep shame over causing an accident and injuring or even killing someone. They may be ashamed of themselves for breaking the law and letting down those close to them, as well as themselves, regardless of whether they caused an accident or not.

 

 

Talk to a Professional

 

All of these feelings, beliefs and life-changes can lead to moderate to severe depression, or feelings of desperation and isolation. It is strongly advised therefore that anyone feeling like this talk to a counselor or clinical psychologist. Going through the DUI process is perhaps the most stressful thing someone will have to deal with in their life, and they should not feel that they have to do it alone. Speaking with a counselor or psychologist can greatly improve a person’s mood and turn a negative outlook into a positive one. Yes, a DUI charge is a serious matter and not one to be taken lightly, but that doesn’t mean it should ruin a person’s life. Also, a good DUI lawyer will make their client feel a little better about their situation and their prospects. After all, they have dealt with hundreds if not thousands of people in the exact same situation, and have helped guide them through the process and helped to reduce some of the punishments faced. Taking charge of your situation by hiring a good lawyer and getting the best representation possible can help you to feel re-empowered and in control again of your destiny.

 

If you or someone you know is facing a DUI charge, use our free of charge lawyer-matching service on our web site. Just complete the short contact form to find an experienced DUI attorney in your area.