How DUI affects child custody

On Behalf of | May 1, 2019 | Firm News

There are many reasons why you do not want to get a DUI conviction. It can become much more difficult to get a job, and you may lose your license for up to one year if you are not careful. 

DUI arrest can stay with you for years. In the event you end up with a divorce later in life, a DUI conviction can play a role in the proceedings, especially if you have children. A judge needs to look at a child custody agreement that is in the best interests of the kids. Therefore, you need to fight DUI charges now not just to retain your job but also to continue seeing your kids. 

Judges seriously consider aggravated DUI charges

A DUI charge is bad enough. However, a judge will recognize that a lot of people make mistakes, so if you have a DUI on your record from years ago, then a judge may overlook it. Aggravated DUIs are a completely different story. An aggravated DUI refers to someone driving under the influence while going 30 miles over the speed limit or causing an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death.

How DUI affects child custody in a divorce

A DUI will not win you any points in court, but ultimately, a judge wants to make sure each parent can provide children with a safe environment to grow up in. If you had to go to jail or prison due to DUI conviction, then a judge may worry if you could go back into incarceration in the near future. A judge could question your ability to provide a safe environment, and you may not get as much child custody time as you would like. Defendants facing DUI charges should fight the case to the best of their ability to avoid jail time so that they can continue to see their kids going forward.