Why a Spouse’s DUI Might Be a Sign of a Bigger Problem
If your spouse is arrested for driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you have a lot to think about. First, make sure he or she has an experienced DUI attorney or DUI attorney. He is going to need someone to defend him and look out for his safety and interests. Once the logistics are in place and you know he is protected, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Was this a one-time incident? Everyone makes mistakes. There are times when you go out with friends and believe there is no reason why you should not drive home. You might actually be fine, but if you are pulled over by a police officer and given a breathalyzer test, it might show otherwise. Though you knew your driving was not impaired, by law, it was considered impaired. However, if this is one of several problems, you have a bigger issue to deal with than just your spouse using bad judgment.
Does your spouse drink on the regular basis? Social drinking, even when it is occasionally heavy, is not the sign of a serious problem. However, using alcohol to escape problems or drinking on the everyday basis might be. If your spouse’s drinking is interfering with your relationship or his or her relationship with your children, it is a problem. Likewise, if your spouse has had employment issues because of drinking, it is a problem. All the arrest is doing is drawing more attention to the problem. The arrest might result in your spouse having to attend classes not only for driving, but also for coping without alcohol as part of their legal agreement to not spend time in jail. If this does not solve the problem, or even if it does, the two of you might consider family or couples counseling.
Though it is not the case in every situation, ask yourself following your spouse’s arrest if you think he or she is being faithful. The drinking problem could be a sign of more serious issues. It could also mean your spouse is going through a phase of irresponsible behavior and is just another in a long line of bad choices. Before moving forward with other problems, be confident your spouse is not cheating.
Keep in mind if your spouse has a drinking problem serious enough to trigger an arrest while driving, he or she might be putting your children at risk. Make sure the problem is completely resolved before letting your spouse drive with your children in the vehicle. Be upfront about your decision and let him know that if things are resolved and changes are made, you have no problem with it in the future. Your first responsibility though is your children and you need to protect them, even if that means hurting his feelings or making him feel foolish.
Also remember his or her actions will have a financial affect on your relationship. Your driving insurance rates are going to skyrocket as a result of the arrest. You will also need to pay the lawyer who represents you. There are going to be financial consequences, so talk to your spouse about how these should be handled, but ultimately, the decision is yours.
Author Bio: Penny Lane learned quite a bit about the merits of hiring a great attorney when he spent a day with a well-respected Clermont County DUI attorney helping to make their practices more efficient. She searched the termMason DUI attorney to find a law practice in her area.
Category: Legal
Keywords: Clermont County DUI attorney,Mason DUI attorney