What Happens to Parents Who Get a DUI in Sacramento with Their Kids in the Car?

Being involved in an accident with your children in the car is frightening. But if you were arrested for A DUI with children in the car, things become much more problematic. Driving under the influence means that you’re a threat — not just to yourself, but to public safety as well. Adding children to the mix creates an entirely new layer of complications that can add significant jail time to your sentence, as well as the possibility of losing your children.

Your Children Could Be Injured or Killed

This is one of the most heart-wrenching issues that can be caused by DUI with kids in the car. Legal issues aside, driving while under the influence puts children’s lives at risk. There are countless stories of mothers who now have to live with the guilt of injuring or even killing their babies, toddlers or children because they chose to drink. This can affect them in understandably profound ways.

Your Children May End Up in Protective Custody

If you are arrested for a DUI with children in the car and you’re driving in or around Sacramento, what happens to the kids? If there is another parent or family member who can take them, the police may try to contact that person. If a parent or relative cannot take the children, they may end up going to a shelter or foster home when you go to jail.

You May Be Charged with Child Endangerment, Manslaughter or Murder

Depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the DUI and your arrest, you may also be charged with child endangerment. If the very worst case scenario occurs and the child dies from your actions, you may be charged with manslaughter or murder in addition to aggravated DUI. There are a variety of charges that can be applied here, including voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder or DUI murder, or vehicular manslaughter or gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Being convicted on any of these DUI charges carries considerable fines and jail times in comparison for the jail time associated with a regular DUI conviction.

Of course, one would hope that your children are not harmed in any way as a result, however driving while intoxicated with children in the car significantly increases this chance. And even if the children aren’t physically harmed, there may be emotional trauma.

Driving Under the Influence with Kids in the Car – What’s Next?

If you’ve been charged with a DUI with kids in the car, you may face additional charges noted above. But what many people don’t realize is that these charges become significantly more imposing if it isn’t the first time you’ve been charged with a DUI with children in the car.

DUI with a minor can add anywhere from 48 hours for the first offense, to 10 days for the second offense (within 10 years). The third offense within 10 years carries 30 days in jail, while the fourth offense within 10 years has a 90 day jail-term associated with it.

That being said, these penalties only apply if you are successfully convicted of the charges. If the charges were wrongfully made, they will all be dropped.

If you’ve been charged in Sacramento with DUI with a minor or DUI with children or kids in the car, you need understanding, compassionate legal advice from a team who will work hard to defend you against these charges. Don’t face the prosecution alone. Call DUI lawyer today for prompt, caring legal assistance against your DUI charges. We can help you anywhere in Sacramento or the surrounding area.