Knocking back a few drinks with friends can be a lot of fun—until someone decides to drink and drive. Many college students don’t stop to consider the long-term consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Getting behind the wheel of a car can be a spur-of-the-moment decision, but the consequences of that decision can last much, much longer.
Some drivers realize too late that a DUI can have a long-lasting impact on their careers. For example, one Indiana congressman is currently experiencing the consequences of a DUI nearly 15 years after his conviction.
A hidden DUI resurfaces
In 2003, Roland Stine, a popular member of the Indiana General Assembly, was killed in a head-on collision by a drunk driver. Just hours earlier, he had voted to impose stricter penalties for drunk driving. Luke Messer, then an up-and-coming politician, was elected to fill Stine’s position. The problem? Messer had twice been convicted of drunk driving—and he failed to reveal this to the public.
Messer is now running for U.S. Senate, and his past DUIs have been uncovered and are coming back to haunt him. The congressman is under fire for hiding his convictions. Roland Stine’s former constituents are particularly upset, considering that their beloved former representative was killed by an intoxicated driver. The primary election takes place on May 8, and Messer’s political career may take a major hit.
The long-term consequences of a DUI
A DUI can derail the career of everyday Hoosiers as well as public figures. Not to mention that a DUI can result in expensive fees, community service, probation, an ignition interlock device and even jail time. Fortunately, there are ways to fight a DUI charge and possibly avoid a conviction. Anyone who faces DUI charges should consider their legal options now to avoid negative consequences later.