If you’ve never been in trouble with the law before but made a mistake and now are facing drunk driving or drunk boating charges, you may not completely understand the impact that a conviction could have on your license, your job, your finances and your future. Depending on the situation, you could be facing a fine of up to $2,000 with 180 days in jail or up to two years of probation, community service and alcohol education classes, as well as fines and court costs that could add up to thousands of dollars.

Your insurance carrier could drop you or raise your rates. You could lose your license. And a second arrest (repeat offense or DWI 2nd) means the penalties will be even steeper. Greater fines, license suspension, an ignition interlock device for your car and even jail time. It also means you’re out of chances — a third arrest is a felony charge. If you’ve been charged a second time, it’s imperative that your lawyer not try to plea out but fight for dismissal or acquittal. Having the right attorney on your case can make all the difference in the world.