Since the holiday season is here, many people will be enjoying more holiday parties, gatherings, and happy hours. While you should have fun during this time, be mindful of your drinking and driving. If you're caught while driving under the influence, you could have a major legal problem on your hands. If this happens, here are some reasons why you should contact a local DUI lawyer right away.

Employment

It's no secret that the economy isn't at its best right now. So, if you have a solid career that you love, don't mess things up by not handling your DUI properly. A legal professional can prevent you from being charged with the highest penalty possible. In other words, they can negotiate an exchange of jail time and a high charge for community service or a fine. Then, you can avoid having a criminal record due to the incident. Remember, certain jobs don't want to hire people who have a record. You can protect your current and future employability by immediately hiring a professional who can help you.

Testing

Depending on your punishment, you may have to resort to regular urinalysis testing. This requirement can put a damper on your job or other daily duties. If you have to drive several miles to a testing facility and end up being in traffic, it can make your day longer than necessary. A good lawyer can ask a judge to expunge this punishment so that you can carry on as normal.

License

According to LegalMatch, there are more than 1.4 million people arrested for DUI annually. Many of these people can temporarily lose their licenses, depending on the severity of their case. A lawyer can help prevent license suspension, especially if it's your first or a minor offense. After all, not having a license for several months or a year can make it hard for you to get to and from work or school, run errands, or socialize.

Interlock Device

Can you imagine not being able to operate your car without having to breathe into a device first? That would be the case if a judge ordered an interlock device on your car. Having to use this option can be a financial burden as well as an embarrassment. Can you imagine how other passengers would feel if you had to use such a device before you could drive your car? It would give away that you've had a prior conviction for DUI. These devices can also be expensive, and you would have to pay for them yourself. With the help of an experienced DUI lawyer, your case could be reduced and could take away the requirement for such a device.

Insurance

Auto insurance is a necessary expense when you operate a car. However, did you know that your insurance premiums can go up once you've been convicted of a DUI? According to Experian, you may have to pay such a premium for up to three years after a DUI conviction unless you get a lesser charge. The type of charge a judge orders can also impact whether you can carry any type of auto insurance. There are some states where you can't drive without any auto insurance. If that's the case, it could greatly reduce your quality of life, employment, and socialization. If you have a job that relies on your ability to drive, then this could put you out of work for a long time and force you to change careers.

Being caught driving under the influence is a serious offense. You endanger yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road. If you're lucky, no one will get hurt, but there can still be major consequences depending on the charges you receive from a judge. Luckily, a DUI lawyer is available to assist you in maintaining your quality of life as much as possible and put you on the road to not making such a mistake again. If you find yourself convicted of a DUI, don't hesitate to hire a professional attorney. That way, you could maintain your ability to drive, save money, and avoid having to pay for embarrassing devices. For more information, contact Kavanagh & Kavanagh LLC for a consultation. We look forward to working with you.