Each year, an estimated 1.5 million people in the US are arrested for drunk driving. Impaired driving involving alcohol is a serious offense claiming 28 lives each day in addition to injuries and disabilities. It has also negative consequences on the driver who is arrested or may be convicted. An individual who has no DUI record and is suddenly arrested or convicted faces huge problems. Employment prospects are diminished and it may be difficult to land jobs with a record. But there are misconceptions about drunk driving arrests and convictions. Not everything is lost and it is still possible to find work even if you have been arrested or convicted due to DUI.
Impact of Drunk Driving on Future Employment
If you are employed and have a DUI arrest on record, it may affect your chances of promotion. While you are not just going to be fired randomly, a misdemeanor record can hurt your chances of moving up the corporate ladder. Some employers might also have a policy of mandatory firing if an employee is convicted of a felony so if you are arrested, you might want to inform management of this.
For those who are looking for employment, a DUI arrest or conviction impacts the chances of getting a job. A representative of this Scottsdale DUI Lawyer firm says that it is important to make the distinction between an arrest and a conviction. When you fill up application forms, most prospective employers do not ask for arrests but are interested if you have been convicted. Hence, if you have only been apprehended for drunk driving but not convicted, you don’t need to write this down on your application. However, sensitive jobs such as those involving children, teaching or driving vehicles will be off-limits to you if you have a DUI record. Work involving delicate data would also be hard to get.
Expunging Data: Is It a Possibility?
Expunging a record is possible but it depends if your state allows it or not. Remember that there are two parts to a drunk driving record: the administrative and the criminal side. If possible, you can request your lawyer to remove the offense from your criminal and driving records. In most circumstances, expunging is only possible for the criminal record but not on your driving information. There are also special conditions that apply whether a DUI can be expunged or removed depending on the state laws. For example, in Arizona, records can be sealed for first-time misdemeanor DUI offenders provided that the probation is fully completed. In Colorado, expungement of records is only available for juveniles while in Indiana, removal of records is available after 5 years for a misdemeanor and 8-10 years waiting period for a felony.
DUI arrests or convictions that could lead to charges of misdemeanor or felony are life-changing for anyone because they affect employment opportunities and lead to suspension of licenses. DUI convictions also increase your insurance costs. Relationships with colleagues at work could even be affected. Luckily, there are still mitigating circumstances that allow you to find work and even expunge a record to start with a new slate. For better clarity of your situation, it is always a good idea to seek legal counsel or hire an experienced attorney.
