When you’re facing drunk driving allegations, you hope that there’s a way to get the DUI charges dismissed or to otherwise avoid the worst penalties that prosecutor’s seek to impose on you.
Although there might be a criminal defense strategy that allows you to beat the prosecution and obtain dismissed charges or an acquittal, there’s also a chance that you’re better off taking a plea deal.
But the thought of criminal conviction can be worrisome, to put it mildly. You might feel like your conviction is going to ruin your life, making it impossible to reclaim the normalcy that you once knew. Although it’s true that you might face some challenges post-conviction, there are steps that you can take to bounce back after a DUI conviction.
How to get back on your feet after a DUI conviction
Although it might not seem like it right now, you can reclaim your life even after a drunk driving conviction. Here are some ways to do that:
- Abide by the terms of your probation: The stress associated with your criminal case is going to linger if you continue to violate your probation, resulting in the imposition of additional penalties. That’s why one of the fastest ways to get back to your normal life is to abide by the terms of your probation so that you can get it over with as quickly as possible.
- Avoid social triggers: If alcohol use is a problem for you, then you’ll want to avoid anything that might trigger your use. After all, drinking to the point of intoxication could put you in another situation where you end up facing new criminal charges, and you’ll want to avoid that happening at all costs.
- Find support: Your DUI conviction can disrupt life as you know it. That’s hard to deal with, but it’s also not a burden that you have to carry on your own. You can find outlets for your emotions by surrounding yourself with those that care about you. While this includes your family and friends, you shouldn’t overlook the value of having a mental health professional in your corner.
- Allow yourself to enjoy life: If you’re like a lot of people, then you’re going to be tempted to beat yourself up for the mistake that you’ve made. But This isn’t constructive. To escape the nagging feeling that you made an avoidable mistake, find activities that take your mind off the past. Doing so can improve your mental health and your outlook on the future.
- Set attainable goals: You can feel like the deck is stacked against you after a DUI conviction. To shake that feeling, get some momentum behind you. The only way to do that is set reachable goals. This might be something as simple as obtaining a job or staying sober for a certain period of time. Track your progress and celebrate your success. And when it comes to securing employment, be honest with prospective employers and expect that it’s going to take time to find something that’s right for you.
Your future starts with a strong criminal defense
You want to minimize the impact of a DUI conviction as much as possible. Although there are steps that you can take post-conviction to mitigate the impact, the work to protect your future really starts with building your criminal defense.
With that in mind, if you’ve been accused of drunk driving, then you need to start thinking about the criminal defense strategy that’s right for you and best puts you on a path to the future that you want.