In most states, after a certain number of offenses, a person can be declared a habitual offender. That, too, carries additional criminal penalties up to life in prison. Many states have also amended their criminal substance impaired driving statutes to enhance the penalty if a child was in the vehicle at the time of the offense. To find out more information about the laws in your state search “legal code” online for your state. Besides the criminal consequences of substance impaired driving, there is also the possibility of civil lawsuits in cases where property damage, injury, or death resulted from a substance impaired driving crash. Win or lose, attorney fees for civil suits can be enormous. If a judgment is found against the offender, transferring assets does not protect them. Since 1984, declaring bankruptcy does not relieve the offender from financial obligations. Even if the person does not currently have assets or income, civil judgments can be charged to future assets, endangering future earnings or inheritances. Furthermore, if you are the spouse or legal guardian of the person being sued, or if you provided the car or alcohol involved in the drinking and driving offense, your assets may also be at risk. In addition to criminal and civil penalties, some convicted substance impaired driving offenders lose their jobs due to the policies and procedures in their work place. Those who are convicted and who are separated or divorced may also find visitation rights with their children curtailed if this information becomes known to the divorce court. Insurance rates for those who have a DUI/ DWI conviction increase or their policies are
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