Disclaimer: the material presented in the article below should only be considered as a general overview regarding DUI with child endangerment penalties. Should you, or anyone you know, find yourself getting arrested for or charged with driving under influence with child endangerment, it’s best that you speak to a DUI lawyer immediately. He/she can help you decide on what are the best legal actions to take.

It’s not a secret that drunk driving can lead to severe consequences that are often irreversible. If you get convicted of drunk driving, it will be stapled on your public record for a lifetime. And driving while under the influence of alcohol with kids on board is worse. Not only have you put your life and the kid's life in danger, but you also would be facing more significant consequences and penalties because doing so is considered as child endangerment. If injuring or killing yourself and the kids are not enough, and you need more reminders why you shouldn’t drink and drive with kids inside your car, we’ll share to you five reasons why it is a huge no.  

●       You could end up losing your license.

The most common consequence for driving while under the influence of alcohol is the suspension of your license. If you’re arrested for drunk driving, and you have kids in the vehicle, your license suspension may be suspended for a longer period, or worse, taken away for good.

This could put a strain on your day to day activities because you can no longer drive yourself or your family. You will have to rely on other people to drive for you, or you may need to utilize public transportation to get to work or school and perform your errands.

If you lose your license, there might be a tendency that you’ll lose your job, since you can’t drive around anymore. If you rely on others and public transportation, you may end getting to work late. Some jobs would require their employees to have a driver’s license to perform their duties.

●       You could end up losing your job.

Some employers will fire you immediately if they find out about your drunk driving with child endangerment conviction. If your employer decides to let you go, there’s little to nothing you can do about it. Also, if you’re going to look for a new job, you may encounter difficulties getting hired, since most employers wouldn’t want to hire someone who has a DUI and child endangerment conviction.

Also, if you get arrested for child endangerment and drunk driving, you might get stripped of your professional license. Professions such as lawyers and doctors have their own rules and regulations, which if not followed, can be a reason to get your professional license taken away. And without your license, you can’t practice your profession anymore.

●       You would end up facing considerable consequences and penalties for the crime.

 Hefty punishments and penalties will come your way if you’re drunk driving with child endangerment. You can not only lose your license but also get sentenced to jail time and would be required to pay fees and fines. Some states would also need you to take alcohol programs, and have an interlock ignition device installed in your car. Drunk driving with kids can strip you of your freedom, and drain you financially.

●       If you get arrested, it will become public knowledge.

●       If an accident does occur, and someone ends up hurt, you’ll be forced to live with the guilt.

Drunk driving can often lead to accidents. If you’re driving with kids in your car, you need to be more careful, and you can’t do that if you’re drunk. When you’re drunk, your motor functions are impaired, affecting your driving skills. If you wind up injured, or worse, killing yourself or the kids, you have to live with that for the rest of your life. You can pay for the damages, have your vehicle repaired, and hopefully, recover from the injury, but your guilt is something that would not quickly go away.

The next time that you’re with your friends or family, and you have your kids with you, don’t drive. You’re not only putting your life in danger but also your kids’ lives and others as well. If you have had some drinks, leave your car, get a cab or call a friend or family member to take you home. Other options are better than you and your kids ending in the hospital or worse. It’s just not worth the risk.

Michelle Blakney

Michelle Blakney believes experience is an important part of the learning process. She hopes her pieces can enlighten the common reader to important aspects of the law. Michelle enjoys long and fruitful discussions over coffee, and she loves sharing her wisdom to others.