Tips for Handling Workplace Discrimination

When you are arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI), your primary goal is to have those charges reduced or dropped. Not only are the punishments for a DUI conviction harsh, but the ramifications can haunt you in ways you might never have imagined. One thing few people consider is the effect a DUI might have on your ability to get a job. Read on to find out why it's so vital to seek a criminal defense attorney and fight your DUI charge vigorously.

A Two-Headed Monster

A DUI charge is unique in the way its effects can bleed over into several areas of your life. For example, both the criminal justice system and the department of motor vehicles (DMV) have a say in how your case turns out. You might fulfill all of the requirements when dealing with your criminal case only to find out that the DMV won't allow you to apply for a new driver's license. As a matter of fact, the DMV is very likely to automatically suspend your driver's license before you even have a chance to hire an attorney. It's best to keep in mind that when you get charged with a DUI, you have to consider the criminal charges and the impact on your driving privileges as two separate issues.

Background Checks and Jobs

Almost any position worth having nowadays requires the potential employee to undergo a background check. There is more than a single level of background checks, and the one you have probably depends on the type of job applied for. A job dealing with personally identifiable information (PII) will require greater scrutiny than a manual labor job. If you end up being convicted of the DUI, your record will reveal that information on a criminal background check. Whether you are convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, it will show up.

Driving Records and Jobs

If your job involves driving a company vehicle, you might also have to have a DMV check. A DUI on your driving record could not be worse—unless you also had an accident along with the DUI. A record of a previous DUI when applying for jobs that require you to drive or operate heavy machinery will likely make those positions out of the question for you. Your ability to get a job is just one of many issues that you can expect to deal with unless you are able to avoid the DUI conviction. Speak to your criminal law attorney to learn more about avoiding the worst of the consequences of your DUI charge.