Driving under the influence (DUI) charges can follow traffic stops or collisions. Sometimes, people didn’t even realize that they had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel. Failing a breath test may come as a surprise in such cases.
Unfortunately, a lack of awareness about one’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is generally not a viable criminal defense strategy. Those accused of DUI offenses need to respond assertively if they want to avoid convictions that could haunt them for years.
Professionals with ambitions to develop their careers may need to respond carefully to DUI charges to avoid long-term employment setbacks. How does a DUI affect a professional’s career and earning potential?
1. Causing missed work
Individuals accused of DUIs may need to take time away from work to attend court proceedings, serve a sentence or meet with a probation officer. The more time at work that they miss, the greater the chances of professional consequences.
Employers may terminate workers who miss too many unexcused days of work. Additionally, repeated absences can make a worker seem less reliable and may diminish their chances of securing promotions in the future.
2. Costing a worker their license
Temporarily eliminating driving privileges is a standard DUI penalty. How long drivers lose their licenses for depends on their prior offenses and other details about the case.
Anyone who drives for work, even occasionally, could be at risk of becoming unable to perform job functions after a DUI conviction. Professionals who must maintain commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are especially vulnerable. A single DUI can make them ineligible for a CDL for a year, while repeat offenses can lead to permanent ineligibility.
3. Creating a criminal record
Although a DUI may not seem quite as serious as an assault, it is still a blemish on a professional’s record. At some companies with zero-tolerance policies, a conviction while working at the company could cost a professional their position.
Every time a professional with a DUI conviction applies for a new job, their record may turn up during the background search process. A criminal record can have a profound chilling effect on an ambitious professional’s future prospects.
Understanding the possible consequences of entering a guilty plea could help people make better choices when facing DUI charges. Professionals who want to maximize their career development and earning potential may benefit from fighting criminal charges instead of pleading guilty.
