Many professional licensing boards require a criminal background check.
Perhaps because it is a driving offense, many people don’t consider a DUI a serious crime. Yet driving under the influence is a crime under California law — and one that has the potential to kill or seriously injure other people. Because driving drunk or under the influence of drugs puts so many other people at risk, California lawmakers made it a criminal offense — not a driving infraction. If you are convicted of either a felony or misdemeanor DUI, you will have a criminal record…which can impact your life for years to come.
A DUI conviction will lead to immediate penalties, including a license suspension, mandatory alcohol education classes, fines, and potential jail time. All of these consequences are significant, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. However, as a San Bernardino DUI defense lawyer can explain, the long-term impact on the rest of your life should also be considered.
Because a DUI is a criminal conviction, it will show up whenever a background check is run on you. While California employers are limited in their ability to inquire about criminal histories and run background checks, having a criminal history can prevent you from getting a professional license — which can make it difficult to work in your chosen field.
A range of professionals require a license in order to work. This includes lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, cosmetologists, private investigators and real estate agents. These boards will consider factors such as your criminal history in deciding whether to issue a license to practice in your profession. Depending on your career, having a DUI may prevent you from working entirely. For example, if you are a commercial truck driver, you may be unable to work because of your DUI — even if you got it off-the-clock.
If you do have a DUI conviction and are applying for a professional license, remember that being honest is the best policy. Failure to disclose a conviction that a licensing board later learns about is likely more serious than being upfront about your conviction. However, be aware that it may be more difficult to obtain your license, or that you may have to provide further explanation, in order to receive it.
The long-term consequences of a DUI conviction make it all the more important that you hire a highly skilled San Bernardino DUI defense lawyer to represent you if you have been charged with a DUI. While the immediately penalties are serious, being convicted of a DUI has the potential to negatively affect your career for years to come. Working with an experienced San Bernardino DUI defense lawyer, such as the attorneys of the Chambers Law Firm, can help you achieve the best possible outcome, such as a plea deal for a reduced charge or potentially a dismissal of the charges entirely.
If you have been charged with a DUI, you will need a skilled San Bernardino DUI defense lawyer to represent you. Contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
