If you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) in California, there are a multitude of criminal penalties and collateral consequences you must be prepared for. The impact a guilty verdict will have on you professionally is undeniable.
Not only could your license be in jeopardy, but your professional reputation could be on the line. For this reason, getting help from an experienced Los Angeles DUI attorney should be a top priority. Here are eight of the most common ways a DUI conviction could impact your career if you do not get the legal help you need to clear your name of the allegations against you.
How Your Career Could Be Affected by a DUI Conviction
You can expect your entire life to be affected if you are convicted of drunk driving. Not only will your career be in jeopardy, but your personal reputation, relationships with family and friends, and criminal record will also be turned upside down.
However, career implications worry people the most, as this could impact their ability to provide for themselves and their families. With that in mind, here are some of the most common ways professionals are affected by DUI convictions:
1. Driver’s License Suspension or Revocation
First, when you are convicted of drunk driving, your driver’s license will nearly always be suspended or revoked. If you lose your license, you must find an alternative way to get to work every day.
You may need to ask your spouse, friends, or other family members to drive you. You may need to resort to public transportation if necessary. However, suppose you need a driver’s license to do your job, as is often the case with Uber or Lyft drivers, delivery drivers, and other people driving for a living.
In that case, you may find it difficult or impossible to continue working while your driving privileges have been temporarily revoked.
2. Termination
Depending on your line of work, if you are even accused of drunk driving, you could be released from your job responsibilities. Some companies have zero-tolerance policies regarding DUIs and other drug-related offenses.
Since California is an at-will state for employment, your employer reserves the right to terminate you for any reason except for protected status situations. You could also lose your job if you have a professional license that is ultimately suspended or revoked due to a DUI conviction. You may not be able to continue working without a valid license to practice.
3. Completion of a Drug or Alcohol Treatment Program
Instead of revoking your license to practice or terminating you from your position, your employer might require you to complete a drug or alcohol treatment program. You could also enter a pretrial diversion program instead of incarceration.
By completing a drug or alcohol treatment program, you can show the court and your employer how seriously you are taking the charges against you. However, if you do not complete the terms of these programs, you can expect the district attorney to move forward with the criminal charges against you and your employer to move forward with termination.
4. Professional License Revocation
We briefly mentioned that your professional license could be suspended or revoked. However, you can expect your employer to thoroughly investigate the charges against you to determine the most appropriate disciplinary action. If you need a license to work, as many nurses, contractors, lawyers, physicians, pharmacists, and other parties do, you can only continue working if your license is valid.
You can expect the licensing board to consider several factors, including your chemical blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels, whether anyone was injured, and whether you have a history of DUI offenses. First-time, non-violent offenders are more likely than habitual offenders to get their licenses reinstated.
5.Exorbitant Insurance Costs
Your conviction will remain on your criminal and traffic records when you are found guilty of a DUI. When you apply for auto insurance or inform your insurance company of your conviction, the insurance company will need a copy of your SR–22 insurance form.
This will increase your auto insurance costs and potentially jeopardize your job. This is particularly true if your employer has included you in their auto insurance coverage. This could result in removal from their beneficiary list or even termination.
6. Trouble Finding Gainful Employment
Whether you are looking for a new job or are interested in internal promotions, a DUI on your criminal background check could devastate your opportunities. If you have a DUI record, you will likely be passed over for these opportunities and find it difficult or impossible to achieve your career goals.
7. Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Suppose you need to take time off work to participate in a pretrial diversion program, mental health counseling, group therapy, or attend meetings with a probation officer. In that case, it could make it difficult for you to continue supporting yourself and providing for your family.
You might even suffer pay decreases, reduced hours, and demotion if you cannot continue working as expected. Since your DUI will haunt you for the foreseeable future, you can expect your conviction to considerably impact your ability to continue earning a living as long as a DUI is on your record.
8. Limited Higher Education Opportunities
You may need continuing education as part of your career path. Suppose you are rejected from programs due to your criminal record or do not qualify for federal student aid due to your conviction. In that case, you may be restricted from furthering your education and advancing your career.
Get Help from a DUI Lawyer in Los Angeles Today
These are only a few of the more common ways people’s lives have been affected professionally by a DUI conviction. If you hope to protect your reputation and career but need to know where to get started with your DUI defense, contact an experienced DUI attorney in Los Angeles to discuss potential defense options further.
Learn more about which ones may be most suitable for your case when you contact us for a confidential consultation. You can reach us through our online contact form or phone to regain control over your career.
