The sibling thread said traffic/criminal, which typically means one of two things... reckless driving (excessive speed or other dangerous driving) OR DUI/drunk-driving.

Reckless can often be pled down to a non-criminal, or if not, is usually a punishment as you describe.

DUI is quite a bit more serious.

Either way, typically a legal practice that handles one will handle the other. And in both cases, you will need legal counsel, as failure to do so can result in jail time.

If you're living abroad with no intention of returning to the US, it's highly unlikely you're going to get weekend work. A fine perhaps, sure.

Can confirm. Accidentally broke the law while visiting, no conviction.