May 7, 2024
If you’re facing your first DUI arrest, you may wonder how your career could be impacted. A criminal record could effectively end your employment or prevent you from being considered during the hiring process.
DWI or DUI convictions are not things that prospective employers want to see when they run background checks. Napier Law Firm provides legal representation for those facing DUI charges. We understand the impact of a DUI conviction and are prepared to fight for your legal rights. In this blog post, we answer the question, “How does a DUI affect my future employment opportunities” and provide legal insight into this topic.
Do Criminal Convictions Have the Potential to Ruin Your Career?
When you have a DWI conviction, especially a felony conviction, it can have severe consequences for your professional career. Unfortunately, even a single DUI can make it hard to find employment or cost you your current job.
Many employers will turn away DUI offenders because of their criminal record. It may have been your first DUI offense, but to most employers—particularly those that require you to hold professional licenses—it could violate their code of conduct.
Additionally, driving under the influence is something you don’t want on your criminal record if you’ll be driving a company vehicle. Due to insurance liability, a potential employer may reject you if you have a DWI charge.
How Long Does a DUI Conviction Stay on Your Criminal Record?
In Texas, a DUI charge will stay on your criminal history permanently. If your DUI charge is a felony, it can be especially damaging to your professional trajectory. During a background check, potential employers review an applicant’s criminal record. If there is a criminal offense revealed in your background check, it can hurt your job search.
Pleading guilty to DWI charges can affect a person’s life in many ways beyond being rejected on a job application. It can make finding suitable housing impossible, and it can mean your future career is over before it has a chance to begin.
How Will a DUI on My Criminal History Affect My Employment Opportunities?
Most job applications inform you of a background check that will be conducted. DUI offenses are part of this record, and although you may be tempted to conceal the fact that you have a DUI conviction, they will likely find out. When looking at job prospects, you need to be honest. It will only look worse if you’re caught in a lie.
Since a DUI stays on your criminal record, this may mean you lose your professional license. Medical professionals are disqualified from their profession when they have a DUI. Other jobs that may be impacted include teaching, government jobs, military positions, delivery driving, and truck driving.
A truck driver could lose their commercial driver’s license following a DUI conviction.
How Can I Approach Job Applications When My DUI Is Public Record?
Ultimately, how you approach job applications after receiving a DUI conviction depends on the kind of job you are seeking. The circumstances could mean that you lose out on job opportunities depending on your professional obligations. If a DUI disqualifies you from your profession, you may need to train for another career.
In other situations, you may only face disciplinary action for your conviction. An employer may be willing to give you a chance if you have completed community service and fulfilled your other obligations. Moving forward with a new employer may be the change that you need. As long as you don’t have to contend with professional licensing of any kind, a conviction may not matter, particularly if it is your first-ever offense.
The best thing you can do if you get arrested for DUI or DWI is to contact a criminal defense attorney who can protect your legal rights and offer guidance for your future employment. Contact Napier Law Firm today to discuss your case and learn about how our defense strategies may protect your career path.