Man Asks for a DUI

Most people do their best to avoid legal trouble.

DUI charges are no exception. They can carry heavy penalties. Those charged with a DUI can face jail time and thousands of dollars in fines, and have to go through the bail process. They can also lose their driver license. It would not make sense for anyone to request a DUI, but this is exactly what happened in a small Kentucky town.
Christopher L. Stewart had been out drinking and driving. He requested that police officers charge him with a DUI. He could have made a simple phone call, but that’s not what he did. He drove himself to the police station and approached the officers.

The police were happy to comply with the request. Steward was arrested on the spot. It is not clear at this time why he turned himself in. But to get a better understanding of this situation, we need to take a look at the complex legal procedures involved with DUI charges.

DUI Consequences

Being charged with a DUI has several legal consequences. Those charged can face fines, jail time, and a suspended license. But the consequences are not limited to legal issues. Having a suspended license can result in job loss. Many people try to get rides to and from work by asking friends and family members. But this method of transportation is not always reliable.
Not being able to report to work on time causes many DUI suspects to lose their position and face unemployment. DUI charges can also lead to problems in the suspect’s social life. This crime has a lot of stigma attached to it. People often choose not to associate themselves with those who have been charged with a DUI.

Options for DUI Defendants

Even when not sentenced to jail time, DUI suspects may have to wait in the county jail until they are able to be seen by a judge. The time in jail can cause a lot of setbacks. Luckily, there is an option. Defendants can offer to pay their bail. Bail is a set amount of money that the defendants give to the court as collateral. The money is used to ensure the defendant shows up to court. If the defendant does not show up, a warrant is placed for their arrest, and the court keeps the money.

If, the defendant shows up to all of their court dates, the money is returned. Now, the money is not paid back until the court case is resolved. So, many defendants choose to use a bail bond service. Bail bonds are a service in which a company pays bail on behalf of the defendant. The defendant can make payments on the bail bond. It does not have to be paid upfront.

Why Request a DUI?

It is not known why this man turned himself over to police. But this is not the first time a suspect turned himself in. The most common reason cited by people who have done this is feelings of guilt. They felt sorry for what they had done, and they wanted to make it right. Other people have turned themselves in because they wanted help with an addiction or other problem.