In a competitive marketplace, finding a job is already difficult. Adding a DUI record can make your search even more difficult. And for employed individuals, a DUI conviction or arrest can significantly affect their reputation at work or, in some cases, may cause termination.
This article shares the basics of DUI and the various penalties you’ll face to give you a better idea. We’ll also talk about how being charged with a DUI lawsuit can affect your job prospect or employment. Read on to learn more.
Understanding DUI
Short for driving under the influence, a DUI is one of the most regrettable mistakes you can make in your life. DUI is mainly associated with drunk driving; however, it may also refer to driving under the influence of illicit drugs or prescription medication abuse.
According to statistics, over 30 Americans die in drunk-driving crashes every day. That’s about one person every 45 minutes. In 2020 alone, more than 11,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving accidents.
Due to its high safety risk, it’s unsurprising that the consequences and penalties involved in a DUI charge or conviction are also heavy. Depending on the state where you live, you may face the following penalties when you’re found guilty of drunk driving:
- Suspension and revocation of driver’s license
- A criminal record
- Hefty fines
- Community service
- Jail time
- DUI classes and counseling
- Ignition interlock system for repeat offenders
Aside from these legal penalties, at a DUI Court in Gwinnett DUI, a conviction may also result in higher auto insurance coverage, premiums, and employment issues.
DUI And Employment: 5 Consequences You Should Know
A DUI can harm your reputation and affect potential employers who see you. In this section, you’ll learn some of the consequences of a DUI charge on your career and employment.
- It Limits Your Opportunities
Depending on the industry or job you want to enter, a DUI conviction may prevent you from getting hired.
Generally, jobs that require driving are closed to those with DUI records. Companies see your DUI record as a liability, costing their business a replacement vehicle should you become involved in a driving accident while impaired.
In addition, jobs in the government, medical field, and those involved in caring for children, such as nurseries and schools, may also pass over applicants with DUI convictions.
- It Creates Negative Perceptions
As mentioned, DUI records can tarnish your reputation and negatively affect how employers perceive you. Most employers may associate a DUI charge with more troublesome issues, such as alcoholism.
They are often wary of hiring applicants with a DUI record since alcohol problems don’t do any good for the business. For one, it drives costs while also lowering productivity. Statistics also show that employees with drinking issues have lower job performance and higher injury rates. Plus, alcoholic employees also tend to miss more work days than others.
- It Can Affect Your Current Work
Most of the time, a DUI charge often includes suspension of license. So, if you drive to work, it can significantly impact your routine.
In this case, you may need to find new ways to commute to your job without transportation, including public transportation or carpooling. Public transport can be unreliable, and some people may need help to acclimate to a new transportation routine, which could negatively impact punctuality.
Furthermore, court dates, mandatory community service, and jail time can create conflicts with your job schedule and cause absenteeism.
- It Can Be Career-Ending
In a worst-case scenario, a DUI conviction can cost you your job. Some professions, including coaches, teachers, and drivers, are often forced to resign after a DUI conviction. This is to reduce business liability and help preserve the company’s reputation.
Even if your employer didn’t fire you despite a DUI conviction, if your overall performance is affected (as mentioned in the previous section), it might result in job loss.
- You Could Lose Your Professional License
Most professions require state licensing to practice. Professionals ranging from teachers, healthcare workers, and government officers answer to a specific state board that sets ethical and educational guidelines for their profession.
A DUI conviction may often result in a licensing review and even the suspension or revocation of your professional license.
Takeaway
A DUI charge or record can be a life-changing mistake in many ways. Aside from facing penalties from the government, it has long-term effects on your employability or even costs your current job.
While there are significant consequences, there are also ways to help limit its adverse effects, if not completely eliminate them. Consult an experienced DUI lawyer now to help you regain a chance at continuing life with lessons learned and fewer employment restrictions along the way.