Perhaps as a college student you are back at school after spring break but still in a party mood.
On a Saturday night, you plan to drive home after having drinks with friends, but is this a good idea? You may not be thinking about the effects on your future if the police arrest you for DWI.
The immediate problems
In the state of New Hampshire, you will relinquish your driver’s license immediately if your blood alcohol concentration level is 0.08 percent or above, or if you refuse to take a blood or Breathalyzer test. If the judge convicts you of driving while intoxicated, you will also have to attend a drug and alcohol information program. You must pay hefty fines and, depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you may even have to serve jail time.
Education issues
You may want to go on to earn a graduate degree. However, the admissions department could turn down your application because of the DWI mark on your record. You may want to start a career as a teacher, nurse or lawyer. If you are wrestling with a DWI conviction, you may have to choose another line of work, because the conviction will make you ineligible for the certification or state license you need for certain types of jobs.
An insurance dilemma
With a DWI conviction, you will also face auto insurance issues because your current insurer may regard you as a high-risk driver. In that case, the insurer might either decline to continue providing you with coverage or raise your rates significantly. You could also see those higher rates remain in force for years.
A personal problem
You might notice that people treat you differently when you have a DWI conviction. They may think you are an alcoholic or that you are not trustworthy. In short, an arrest for driving while intoxicated brings up a set of problems that will not only cause you immediate legal concerns but that also will likely affect your family life, your friendships and your plans for the future. It is something to think about as you prepare to leave that Saturday-night get-together.
