Charged With A DUI? What You Need To Know About The Impact It Has On Your Job

26 June 2018
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When you are charged with a DUI, you may find yourself wondering what impact those charges can have on your job. Learning the consequences can help show you the importance of hiring a DUI lawyer to help you with a DUI defense. Here is what you need to know about the impact a DUI charge has on your job. 

The Impact If You Do Not Drive For Work

In most states, employers are not allowed to terminate you for crimes that you have been arrested for, but not yet convicted of. There are a few exceptions to these rules when violent crimes come into play, but a DUI does not fall under this umbrella. As such, if you are charged with a DUI, your employer cannot fire you simply because you have been charged with a crime. They may wait until the completion of your trial to see what the outcome is. Unless your employer conducts ongoing background checks, they may not even be aware of the arrest, and you do not have to volunteer the information. 

The Impact If You Drive As Part of Your Job Duties

If you are charged with a DUI, your license may be suspended immediately. Unfortunately, if you drive for work, this means that you may no longer be able to do the duties to which you are assigned. As was stated above, an employer cannot typically fire you for a crime that you were charged with, but not yet convicted of. However, if you can no longer do your job duties, they can place you on a leave of absence. During this time, they are not obligated to pay you. 

The Impact If You Are Convicted

If you plead guilty to a DUI charge or your case goes to trial and you are found guilty, you will have a conviction on your record. At this point in time, an employer can legally fire you for the conviction, regardless of whether you drive during your course of employment or not. An employer is allowed to determine whether they want to hire and/or retain an employee who has been convicted of a crime, and if they decide not to, they can legally fire you. 

A DUI can have a direct impact on your job. This is especially true if you drive for a living. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to hire a DUI lawyer to help you with DUI defenses. DUI defenses can help to get the charges reduced, dropped or even have a court find you not guilty. Contact a DUI lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. 

For more information, contact a law office like Knochel Law Offices PC.