You can get a job in IT or tech with a DUI on your record. There are some situations in which you may be disqualified from these positions, especially if you have been working with highly confidential data or for a government agency. However, for many types of tech and IT positions, a misdemeanor DUI does not necessarily disqualify you.
If you are currently facing drunk driving charges, it may be in your best interest to enlist the services of a high-powered Los Angeles DUI lawyer who can help you dodge a guilty verdict by presenting a powerful defense strategy in court or working out a plea agreement with the prosecutor. Here is more about how your job in IT or tech could be affected by a DUI and how you can protect your career if you have a prior conviction on your record.
Consequences That Come With a DUI Conviction
In some professions, having a DUI on your record can prevent you from continuing to work. This is especially true if you are required to carry a professional license. Certain types of tech or IT jobs may require professional licensing, but this is not true for all roles or job opportunities.
However, it is not only the professional consequences you need to worry about. If you are found guilty of a DUI, there are multiple criminal penalties you also need to be aware of. For instance, if this is your first DUI, you could pay up to $1,000 and spend six months in jail.
Penalties will continue to increase with subsequent convictions. Those who are deemed habitual offenders, or those defending against a felony fourth DUI conviction within the last 10 years, could spend up to three years in a California state prison and pay fines up to $5,000, according to California Vehicle Code 23153. Of course, there are also many collateral consequences that will ensure you continue to be haunted by your conviction, even after you have completed the terms of your sentence.
Your Career Opportunities May Be Limited
It is completely normal to worry about your ability to get a job in IT or tech with a DUI on your record, especially if you have a passion for what you do and have devoted your higher education to building a lucrative career. Unfortunately, there is no denying the adverse impact a DUI conviction can have on your career opportunities. The fact remains that once a background check is done, it is possible you could be passed over for the role in favor of someone who has no criminal convictions on their record.
In some cases, you may not be able to work for certain organizations or companies at all. This is especially true in roles where tech and IT professionals are dealing with confidential or highly sensitive information. With a DUI conviction on your record, these organizations may not feel as though they can trust you with such integral responsibilities.
However, this is not true for all roles. Some employers are more understanding of mistakes and issues with the criminal justice system than others. Depending on the type of role you are hoping to take, your employer may not be altogether concerned with a DUI arrest or conviction on your background check.
California’s Ban-the-Box Law
While there is a risk that your DUI could prevent you from continuing to work in IT or tech, the ban-the-box law under AB1008 may give you some leeway. Under the law, employers are prohibited from asking questions about your criminal history until you are further along in the application process. This is designed to prevent employers from denying opportunities to those who have criminal records.
The ban-the-box law gives employers a chance to analyze prospects based on their competency and qualifications as opposed to their criminal record. All private and public employers who have at least five employees on their staff are expected to follow these regulations. Though potential employers may still ask you about your criminal record, they may be willing to overlook it if they believe you are otherwise the best candidate for the job.
Can a DUI Be Expunged From Your Criminal Record in CA?
Despite the fact that a DUI could have a devastating impact on your IT or tech career, you do not need to feel discouraged. You may be able to get your DUI expunged from your record entirely. When this happens, the record is erased from public view, and it is as if the conviction never happened in the eyes of potential employers.
You may qualify for DUI expungement if you were never imprisoned, officially charged with a DUI, or the DUI charges against you were dismissed. You can get a DUI conviction expunged if you have completed the requirements of your sentence and are not currently facing additional criminal charges. There is no waiting period before you can seek expungement under CA Penal Code 1203.4 Expunction, so you could potentially apply for expungement immediately after your sentence is completed.
Expungement does not happen automatically. We will need to file a petition with the court to get your DUI expunged. If your petition is granted, you will be under no obligation to disclose the DUI when seeking future opportunities in an IT or tech role.
Get Help From a Top-Rated Los Angeles DUI Attorney Today
Prospective employers will require you to pass a background check as part of the onboarding process. If you are hoping to get a job in IT or tech with a DUI conviction on your record, you may find yourself passed over for candidates who do not have criminal convictions. This is especially true if you have a felony DUI conviction on your record.
You may not need to present a DUI defense strategy at trial if your lawyer can work with the district attorney to enroll you in pretrial diversion, reduce your charges to a wet reckless, or work out a plea agreement. When your career in IT or tech is your passion, let us help you protect it. Review every possible legal option with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer.
