DUIs shatter dreams Published Aug. 14, 2007 By Scott Edwards 92nd Air Refueling Wing legal intern FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- We all have dreams. Some dream about a new job. Others of their daughter's wedding day. Some people even dream about climbing Mt. Everest. Dreams are our hopes for a better tomorrow. Josh Hancock dreamed of winning the World Series, and on Oct. 27, 2006, that dream came true. His team, the St. Louis Cardinals, won the World Series after Hancock's best season. But just six months later, any future dreams Hancock may have had vanished in a matter of seconds. Following a decision that he was okay to drive, Hancock started home. That was the last decision of his life. While traveling nearly 70 miles per hour, he crashed into a tow-truck on the side of the freeway. Later reports revealed that Hancock's blood-alcohol level was .157, nearly twice the legal limit.* All of his dreams for the future will forever go unfilled because of just one wrong decision. The consequences of driving under the influence are life changing, or in the case of nearly 18,000 Americans a year, life ending. Obvious consequences aside, the financial and personal consequences of DUI are also severe. If convicted of a DUI you will face severe financial burdens and may have serious restraints placed upon your personal freedoms. If you are arrested for a DUI in Washington you will pay $3,000 to $25,000 depending on the Court's punishment. The following information (issued by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission) shows how costs quickly add up: - Attorney fees: $500 to $1,500 (more for a jury trial or appeal) - Fines and Court Fees: $685 to $8,125 - Civil Suits: unlimited - Electronic Home Monitoring: $150 to $2,250 - Driver License Reissue Fee: $150 - Ignition Interlock: $730 to $2,800 - Alcohol Treatment: $1,200 to $10,000 - Insurance: A DUI conviction can double your car insurance rates - Towing Charges: $50 to $150 If convicted of a DUI, even once, your life will be affected for at least five years. At the very least you will have your driver license suspended for 90 days, spend twenty-four hours in jail, be ordered to complete an "Alcohol and Drug Assessment" and be placed on probation for five years. These consequences may seem severe, but these are only the minimum sanctions a judge must impose if you are convicted of a DUI. At the other end of the spectrum (the punishment a judge may impose) the consequences are much more severe. As a part of your punishment the judge may order your license suspended for up to four years, a year in jail (even for your first DUI conviction), participation in electronic home monitoring for up to 150 days, an ignition interlock device to be placed on your automobile for up to ten years, and five years of probation. As a member of the military you are also subject to sanctions under Article 111 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. A DUI can end a military career. Avoid these consequences avoiding situations where you are "forced" to drive after having too much to drink. There are several "plan ahead" methods to avoid a DUI conviction. One of the easiest methods is to assign a designated driver before you even arrive at your drinking destination. A designated driver acts as a wingman by ensuring everyone gets home safely. If nobody in your group wants to be a designated driver you may choose to take a cab home. This allows everybody to partake in the festivities and still ensures the safety of all. Plan ahead by obtaining the number to a local cab company before you arrive at your destination. Even if cab fare is $50, you are much better off than facing the consequences discussed above. If all the plan-ahead options fail, remember: don't drink and drive! Walk to a nearby hotel, spend the night at a friend's place, or simply call a friend for a ride home. If you have been drinking, even a little bit, and you must get home, remember that Airmen Against Drunk Driving is available 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day to help you out of a jam. Just call 247-9999 and they will make sure you arrive home safely. Bottom-line - the consequences of choosing to drive drunk are severe. Even if you are one of the "lucky ones," you will be out a lot of money and at least some of your personal freedoms. It only takes one wrong decision to forever end your dreams, or even worse, the dreams of another. For more information, contact the legal office at (509) 247-2838 or DSN 657-2838. *Cards' Hancock was drunk, talking on cell, ASSOCIATED PRESS, May 4, 2007, at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18381071.
