In many cases, you can become a cop after a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) in California. While the court system issues harsh penalties for DUI convictions, individuals may still apply to work in the police force with a DUI on their record.
A Los Angeles DUI lawyer can provide more information about the potential career restrictions associated with a DUI conviction. A skilled lawyer can guide you through contesting your DUI charge and help you get your life back.
Find out more by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Is It Against the Law to Work as a Cop with a DUI?
Currently, there is no California law prohibiting anyone with a DUI conviction from being a member of law enforcement. However, though a DUI arrest does not exclude someone from being a police officer, a criminal history can have adverse consequences on a person’s career.
A DUI conviction could result in suspended or revoked licenses that are essential for a police officer to perform the duties of the job, potentially impeding a career in law enforcement. So, can you become a cop with a DUI?
Generally speaking, one DUI conviction may not halt an applicant from becoming a cop, but that does not mean that a potential law enforcement agency will not review their arrest record and pass on the applicant if they find a DUI on the applicant’s criminal record.
Do Police Hiring Policies Prevent You from Getting Hired with a DUI?
There are no standard hiring policies for law enforcement agencies in California. Individual departments and agencies can determine their hiring procedures and guidelines as long as the hiring policies do not violate labor or anti-discrimination laws.
While law enforcement agencies create hiring parameters, there are basic eligibility requirements for hiring police officers. You can examine the specific policies and procedures of individual departments when determining how your case fits into their eligibility requirements.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) qualifications potentially disqualify applicants who fail to adhere to traffic laws. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) requests applicants meet the minimum requirements for officers and states that a felony conviction is a disqualifying factor.
What Will a Police Department Look at Before Hiring?
A DUI conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from a law enforcement job. Police departments consider several factors when determining whether a DUI will prevent employment.
The department may ask:
- How long ago did the DUI conviction occur?
- Was the automobile properly insured before and after the DUI?
- Did the DUI result in any property damage?
- Was the applicant addicted to alcohol or drugs at the time of the arrest?
- Has there been any other DUI or reckless driving charges since the initial conviction?
- Is the DUI conviction a misdemeanor?
- Is this the applicant’s first DUI?
So, can you become a cop with a DUI? Due to the high demand for police officers, a drunk driving conviction may not prevent you from working as an entry-level police officer.
However, it’s essential to take a drunk driving arrest seriously by getting legal help addressing these accusations.
What Aggravating Factors Can Impact Your Career in Law Enforcement?
Another question regarding the conviction concerns any aggravating factors associated with the arrest. In a California DUI, aggravating factors are hard to overlook and can complicate the application process. A few examples of aggravating factors include:
- Causing injury or death to someone else while driving under the influence
- Drinking while underage and driving
- Driving under the influence with a minor under the age of 14 in the car
- Driving with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) level (over .15%)
- Prior DUI convictions or multiple felony DUI convictions
- Refusing a chemical sobriety test
- Street racing or speeding at excessive speeds
Any of these factors complicate a DUI case and increase the chances of receiving a severe sentence if convicted. Fortunately, you can turn to a criminal defense attorney for help after an arrest, improving your chances of beating a charge and protecting your career prospects.
Are There Police Officers in California with DUIs on Their Record?
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice released the results of a study conducted where the arrest records of more than 6,700 law enforcement officers were analyzed over a period of seven years. Over the course of the study, 960 officers faced charges for driving under the influence.
That adds up to approximately 14% of the officers receiving a drunk driving arrest. Many of these individuals continue to work even with a DUI on their driving records.
These facts can encourage you if you have a DUI on your record at the time of application for a job with the police. In some cases, you can get a job with a felony DUI.
Can You Improve Your Chances of Becoming a Cop After a DUI Arrest?
Hiring a criminal defense lawyer immediately after an arrest for drunk driving can help you build a strong defense and protect your future career.
A skilled attorney can help you fight these charges before they harm your career consequences. A lawyer can evaluate your case, explaining your options in detail and crafting effective legal strategies to help you get past this challenging time.
Working with a criminal defense lawyer can also help you avoid jail or prison time, fines, and restrictions on your driver’s license. An attorney can help you face any criminal charges head-on and share how to explain a DUI on a job application.
Learn More About Becoming a Cop with a DUI
Can you become a cop with a DUI on your record? In some cases, a police agency may hire you even after a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. However, these charges may impact your eligibility for a job.
Do not treat a misdemeanor DUI charge lightly or like it is not a serious crime. Anyone who has been arrested for driving under the influence and works in law enforcement or is applying for a career as a police officer should contact a Los Angeles DUI attorney.
For more information, please contact us online or call us.
