Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can lead to a variety of criminal penalties. The courts can incarcerate people after a conviction and may suspend their driver’s licenses. Some people plead guilty in the hopes of obtaining a lenient sentence and moving on with their lives as quickly as possible after a DUI arrest. Unfortunately for those individuals, a DUI conviction can have consequences outside of the courtroom. Many people convicted of impaired driving offenses face concerning career setbacks.
What are some of the ways that a DUI conviction could impact a professional’s career?
Making them unreliable
Those who must serve a sentence in state custody may miss multiple days of work. Even those who avoid jail time may become less reliable for their employers. A driver’s license suspension might mean that a professional relies on public transportation, rideshare services or carpooling to get to work. They may end up arriving late repeatedly during the time that they do not have driving privileges. Tardiness and unexcused absences can lead to disciplinary action, denied promotions or even termination.
Leaving them unable to perform tasks
Many professionals drive for work. A DUI conviction can cost someone their commercial driver’s license and leave them unable to operate a semi-truck or similar vehicle. Even those who only drive occasionally for work may become unable to handle basic job responsibilities, like taking the daily deposit to the bank. Those who cannot fulfill job tasks may be at risk of termination or demotion.
Influencing employment decisions
Even after the penalties for a DUI conviction have long since ended, professionals may notice an ongoing chilling effect on their careers. Background checks have become a standard part of the hiring process. Those seeking promotions or applying for new jobs have to undergo a criminal background check in many cases. Particularly when there is intense competition for a position, a prior criminal record might be the deciding factor.
Those accused of impaired driving who decide to fight those charges may be able to avoid criminal penalties and a criminal record. Professionals who worry about their careers may want to explore their options for fighting DUI charges instead of pleading guilty and accepting the various penalties that the courts might impose.