How Could a DUI Impact Your Career?
In recent years, penalties for DUI have become stiffer across the nation. If you are convicted, you could be facing jail time, fines, and other criminal penalties, plus suspension of your driver’s license. In addition to these civil and criminal punishments, a DUI on your record could significantly impact your future employment opportunities, and even your current job.
How Can a DUI Hurt Your Chances for a Job?
In Wyoming, a DUI can remain on your driving record for 10 years. A conviction for drunk driving can have an impact on your current job and affect your future employment prospects and career opportunities in several ways:
- The court can suspend or revoke your driving privileges for a DUI, which can seriously limit your employment options.
- There is a three-year disqualification for driving a commercial vehicle after a first conviction. CDL suspension after a second DUI could last 10 years to life.
- It is possible to lose your job for a DUI. Most employment agreements in Wyoming are “at will,” meaning an employer can terminate employment for any reason with impunity. In some professions, you could be fired immediately for a DUI conviction, or your contract may not be renewed.
- Future prospective employers may choose not to hire you because of a DUI on your record.
- Licensing is required for some professions, such as real estate agents, doctors, nurses, insurance agents, and educators. Licensing organizations that base licensure on moral judgment, good character, and trust are likely to suspend or revoke your professional license after a conviction for drunk driving.
Are You Required to Disclose a DUI on Job Applications?
Generally speaking, if you were arrested but not convicted, you only have to disclose a DUI on a job application that specifically asks about arrests. However, if the employer runs a background check, an arrest for DUI may come up. Most job applications ask about criminal convictions rather than arrests. If you were convicted – found guilty by a jury or pleaded guilty or no contest – you must answer “Yes” if asked on an application. Otherwise, you are committing fraud, which can get you fired and charged with a crime.
A first, second, or third DUI is typically charged as a misdemeanor in Wyoming. A fourth or subsequent DUI is charged as a felony. If you have a misdemeanor DUI conviction on your record, you may be able to avoid disclosing it on a job application that only asks for felony convictions. If, on the other hand, the application asks for any criminal convictions, you must disclose a misdemeanor DUI.
How Important Is It to Keep a DUI off Your Record?
The law imposes harsh criminal and civil penalties for driving under the influence. In addition to those penalties, a DUI on your record can seriously impact your life, including auto insurance rates and opportunities for employment, housing, professional licensing, and loans. Under Wyoming law, a criminal conviction cannot be expunged from your record until at least five years have passed since the end of the terms of your sentence and if the DUI did not involve use of a firearm.
It is in your best interests to do everything possible to avoid a DUI conviction. Your best chance of obtaining the most favorable outcome is to have an experienced Gillette criminal defense attorney handling your case.
At Steven Titus & Associates, P.C., we are experienced Gillette DUI defense attorneys with an impressive win-loss record in the courtroom. Call us at (307) 257-7800 to schedule a free case strategy session if you have been arrested for driving under the influence.
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