Auto Accident Lawyer

If you have a child custody agreement in place between yourself and the other parent of your child, it may be impacted if either of you is convicted of a DUI offense. Exactly how it will be impacted will be influenced by the details surrounding the DUI and the outcome of the charge. A DUI is a criminal offense, and though each state’s laws differ somewhat in comparison, it is not to be taken lightly and you should consider speaking with a lawyer, like a DUI lawyer in San Francisco, CA from the Morales Law Firm. There are different classifications of severity regarding DUI charges, but they are all serious. As a result, having a DUI conviction on one’s record can affect a great many things, and that includes an existing or upcoming child custody agreement.

Penalties for a DUI Conviction

If you or your child’s other parent is convicted of a DUI, the penalties often increase in severity in direct proportion to how many previous DUIs the person already has on their record. It’s also important to understand that if there are extenuating circumstances, they can also influence the outcome. For instance, if the driver hurt or killed someone while DUI, they face the possibility of additional criminal charges. A family law court will not look kindly upon a parent who has even one criminal conviction much less multiple convictions. Here are additional scenarios that could affect a child custody agreement following a DUI conviction:

·         A jail sentence will make it impossible for the parent to fulfill their child custody obligations as they cannot care for the child while behind bars.

·         A jail sentence may make it impossible for the person to earn their regular income because they cannot go to work. As a result, they may not be able to pay their bills, feed their child, or cover their rent and provide safe shelter for their child.

·         Fines assessed to the individual after a DUI conviction can greatly impact their financial health. As a result, they may not be able to pay their bills, feed their child, or cover their rent and provide safe shelter for their child.

·         The loss of driving privileges may prevent the parent from being able to pick up, return, or transport their child unless adequate public transportation is available and offers a safe option. If using public transportation includes the need for walking through dangerous neighborhoods, this could raise additional concerns.

·         The loss of driving privileges may prevent the parent from being able to commute to and from their job which could cause them to lose their job. If their job duties include driving a vehicle, a DUI conviction will very likely force their employer to remove them from their job due to insurance requirements. The loss of income could make it impossible for them to pay their bills, feed their child, or cover their rent and provide safe shelter for their child.

A DUI conviction can result in a number of penalties and negative outcomes, not the least of which is the impact it may have on a child custody agreement.