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Does a California DUI impact your employment options?
Question:
Does a California DUI impact your employment options?
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Get Informed - DUI/DWI Law Information
We've got a large library of DUI and DWI law articles, Q&A's and other resources. Start here to learn about DUI laws, arrests, defense, penalties and more.
DUI Basics
Get the low down on the law and what you can expect if you're arrested and charged with a DUI.
Get the low down on the law and what you can expect if you're arrested and charged with a DUI.
Your DUI and the DMV
Besides the court and criminal charge the Department of Motor Vehicles will also bring you grief.
Besides the court and criminal charge the Department of Motor Vehicles will also bring you grief.
DUI Arrests, Police Reports, Arraignments, and Fees
After you're arrested, booked and released, you'll need to get ready for your arraignment.
After you're arrested, booked and released, you'll need to get ready for your arraignment.
DUI/DWI Charges and Penalties
After a DUI conviction expect fines, license suspension, DUI school, and sometimes jail.
After a DUI conviction expect fines, license suspension, DUI school, and sometimes jail.
Fighting a DUI
You may have options to lessen the sentence, get a reduced charge or get the case dismissed.
You may have options to lessen the sentence, get a reduced charge or get the case dismissed.
Getting Help with a DUI/DWI Charge
There are some things you can do yourself and some which require the help of an attorney.
There are some things you can do yourself and some which require the help of an attorney.
When a person is convicted of a California DUI there are several severe penalties he will have to face. In addition to the criminal charges and penalties there are also lifestyle and social consequences that occur. One such result is manner in which these penalties can affect a person's employment.
Consider, for example that in California most people own their own cars and use them to commute to work. Should a person have their license suspended because of a DUI charge, the simple act of getting to work puts the person's employment in jeopardy. It can also make seeking new employment difficult since their options of travel will be considerably reduced. In addition to suspension, California also offers various other forms of penalties for a DUI conviction, including ignition interlock devices that will be installed on the individual's car, there are also traffic school classes that can be mandated and additional conditions placed upon the person by court order that might delay license reinstatement. The difficulty at work can possibly be even more severe as some employers have a policy of terminating employees for this type of conviction, even if it is a first time DUI offense. Examples of these types of jobs include those in local school districts and positions in the civil service.
An additional difficulty a DUI can cause for employment is that the person with the conviction may have to report any DUI convictions to prospective new employers. When completing job applications many in California ask about prior convictions. Many also conduct criminal background checks. Both of these will reveal any DUI conviction you might have, and this can be a serious hindrance to being employed since many employers are discouraged from hiring those with this kind of history. It may not be a simple prejudice against those who drink. There are many types of industrial jobs where the liability is very high intoxication can be a serious issue for them; think of jobs that involve heavy machinery.
Southern California has a staggering statistics when it comes to DUIs. Thousands in this area each year are convicted of DUI charges, and of this group of people a high percentage are repeat offenders. There are harsh penalties attached to a DUI and even harsher for those with multiple charges. It is therefore important to anyone facing these charges to seek legal help immediately. The consequences for a person's employment status and opportunities decrease precipitously for those who are unable to escape a DUI conviction.
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