Not only does a DUI conviction result in jail time, fines, probation, and license suspension, it can result in a permanent criminal record. This can affect both your current employment and future employment prospects.
The following are several ways a DUI can damage or destroy your career:
- Getting a new job can be difficult. When you apply for a job, the employer will conduct a background check on you before hiring you. Your background check will reveal your DUI conviction, which may prevent you from getting hired. An employer can refuse to employ someone with a criminal conviction on their record.
- Lack of driving privileges is an obstacle. If your license is revoked and you do not obtain an exempt license, then commuting to work can be challenging. You would have to rely on public transportation, which means you would have to plan your schedule around how long the bus or train takes to arrive every morning. Additionally, getting to work using a ridesharing service like Uber or Lyft can be quite costly. Plus, if you are required to drive as part of your job duties, then you may get fired.
- You may lose your commercial driver’s license. A first-time DUI will always result in having your CDL suspended in California for a year. So until your license is reinstated, you are out of work. A second DUI conviction means you will lose your CDL for life.
- You may lose your professional license. Many professional licenses, such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, and teachers require that any arrest is disclosed to the licensing agency. If you lose your professional license, then there goes your job.
- You will have to miss work. Court appearances and mandatory alcohol treatment can result in being out of the office frequently. There could be mandatory imprisonment as well. All of this could result in excessive absenteeism.
If you have been arrested for a DUI in Ventura County, request a free criminal consultation with our Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyers at Appel & Morse today.