A driving under the influence (DUI) arrest or conviction could keep you from teaching English abroad. If you have been charged with a DUI and want to teach English overseas, seek legal assistance. A Los Angeles DUI attorney can learn about your driving under the influence charge and evaluate your legal options with you.
When you work with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer, you can contest the charge against you. Your attorney can find out why you were arrested. From here, they can prepare an argument that could lead a court to reduce or dismiss your charge.
Can You Teach English Abroad with a DUI Arrest or Conviction?
You could teach English abroad if you were charged with driving under the influence. This depends on the country and school where you want to teach. Based on your charge, your options for teaching overseas could be limited.
For example, South Korea has a zero-tolerance policy for those who want to teach English abroad and have a criminal record. South Korea requires a national criminal record check to obtain an E-2 visa, which allows foreign-language teachers to work in the country. A DUI can appear on your criminal record check and prevent you from obtaining this required visa.
Alternatively, the European Union generally does not require a criminal background check for teachers who want to enter to teach English. Regardless, there are California DUI penalties that could keep you from getting a visa. A lawyer can explain what California DUI penalties to expect after a conviction and how these can prevent you from working outside the United States.
Where Can You Teach English Abroad with a DUI?
You may be eligible to teach English in Latin America and certain parts of Europe. In these areas, you could secure a teaching job without having to undergo a background check. However, your DUI could still trigger a criminal history review that could dictate whether you are able to get a visa that allows you to work in these areas.
Even if your visa request is approved, your DUI could keep you from landing a job at the international school of your choice. School hiring policies vary. If a school requests a criminal background check as part of its application process, it could find out about your DUI and, as a result, choose not to offer you a teaching position.
A DUI lawyer in Los Angeles can guide you through the legal proceedings that follow a driving under the influence charge. They can provide details about whether you can be a teacher with a DUI. Your attorney could find ways to dispute your charge before it hurts your chances of landing a job teaching English overseas.
Where are You Not Allowed to Teach English Abroad with a DUI?
Many countries require a background check before they will allow you to teach English abroad with a DUI. This check is extensive, and a DUI could appear on it that deters a nation from allowing you to enter. Along with South Korea, nations that typically request a background check for those who want to teach English abroad include:
- China
- Japan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
A Los Angeles driving under the influence lawyer can explain if you can get a passport with a DUI conviction so you can enter any of these nations and others. They can explore ways to show that you should not be punished to the fullest extent of the law due to your DUI charge. Your attorney could prepare an argument that disproves the prosecution’s case against you.
What Should You Do If You Want to Teach Abroad with a DUI?
Meet with a Los Angeles driving under the influence attorney, as they can build a case that could help you avoid a DUI conviction. Your lawyer can examine DUI strategies and plea bargain options. They may provide tips that you can use to boost your chances of having the opportunity to teach abroad, such as:
Speak to a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Advisor
Ask a TEFL advisor for insights into what it is like to teach English abroad. Your advisor can assess your situation carefully. They can share details about where you could teach with a DUI and help you submit the required documents to apply for teaching jobs overseas.
Request a Criminal Background Check
Contact the FBI to get a criminal background check. The cost for “rap sheets” is minimal, and you can request yours online or through the mail. Once you have your background check in hand, you can see if your DUI is included in your record and how this could impact you if you pursue teaching roles abroad.
Ask to Have Your DUI Expunged From Your Criminal Record
Find out if you are eligible for expungement, which can clear a DUI from your criminal record. This could be an option if you have completed all of the terms of your sentencing and do not face any pending criminal charges. Your lawyer can assist you with the expungement process.
Teaching abroad is a privilege — not a right. A DUI attorney in Los Angeles understands this. They will commit time and resources to help you prove that your DUI charge should be dismissed or reduced and that you deserve the opportunity to teach English overseas.
Partner with a Los Angeles DUI Attorney Who Knows the Ins and Outs of the Legal Process
You are worried about how a driving under the influence charge will impact your teaching career. Ultimately, you want opportunities to teach English abroad, but your charge could compromise these. Let a DUI attorney assist you, and they can help you take legal action before your charge keeps you from achieving your career aspirations.
Hire a Los Angeles DUI lawyer with decades of experience to represent you throughout your legal proceedings. Your attorney can assist you at each stage of the legal process and help you make informed decisions throughout your litigation. Schedule a consultation with an attorney.
