Staying on the right side of the law can help you maintain a good reputation and also avoid expenses that could make a dent in your finances. Here are five legal troubles that are especially expensive and can cost you more money than you think.
1. Driving Under the Influence
In many states, it’s illegal to have certain alcohol content in your blood while you drive. If you’re caught doing this, you could be slapped with a hefty fine. In Pennsylvania, for instance, getting a second DUI conviction can see you get jail time and be fined between $300 and $2,500. Different factors determine this amount, so it can be set higher than you expect it to be and leave you with a large legal burden to bear. Driving while intoxicated places many people at risk of injury or fatality, so it’s understandable that the fines associated with it are generally high.
2. Littering
Given the current state of the environment, it’s no wonder that littering is a serious offense for which one may be fined heavily. Once again, different factors will come into play, including the specific state you’re in and whether it’s a first or repeat offense. The litter in question may also affect the amount of the fine that you pay, and given the prevalence of dustbins and recycling spots in public, this is a crime that would be easy to avoid with minimal effort. Doing so can help you save considerable money and stay on the good side of the law.
3. Possessing or Selling Drugs
Drugs and illegal substances are a serious issue in society, so it’s no surprise that being caught buying, selling, or handling them can leave you open to receiving a serious fine. The health implications of illegal drugs cannot be ignored, so it’s no wonder that fines exist to minimize people’s interactions with them. Not everyone has good health insurance, and Medicaid, which is intended to serve individuals with a low income and therefore has fairly strict eligibility requirements, is meant to help people in need of medical treatment. The use of illegal drugs can have a serious effect on one’s health, so the fact that it will place a heavier strain on the medical treatment field is part of the reason people who deal with them are fined heavily.
4. Not Buckling Up
In many states, it’s illegal to drive around or ride in a car without wearing your seatbelt. If you get caught doing so, you may be fined on the spot, and these fines differ in different states. It’s an extremely simple thing to do, so this is a fine that many people can avoid having to pay if they put in minimal effort. The fines exist to motivate people to remember this simple act that can help keep them safe in case of a collision.
5. Harassment
Finally, harassment, whether of the same or opposite gender, is something that can see you pay a large fine. It may not matter whether you were sober or intoxicated, and with the legal limit for alcohol when driving in California being a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, you may be due for a double fine if you are caught harassing someone while under the influence. It’s common decency to respect others’ wishes and avoid violating them, so this fine is one that many people feel is rightly served to those who break the law.
Take these fice legal troubles into consideration. Avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law and save your hard-earned money.
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