A DUI is a criminal charge, so if you are convicted, it will be part of your record.
Under California law, driving under the influence is a serious offense. While most cases are charged as misdemeanor rather than felony offenses, if you are ultimately plead guilty to or are convicted of a DUI, it will be a criminal conviction — and will show up on your criminal record.
So what does a DUI conviction mean for you and your future? There are the immediate, obvious consequences: if you are convicted of a DUI, a judge will sentence you to DUI school, fines, probation or jail, and will suspend your license. But beyond those legal consequences, there are practical realities associated with a DUI conviction that can impact the rest of your life.
One of the biggest challenges for people with DUI convictions may be in getting and keeping employment. This is particularly true if you work in certain professions, such as ones where you drive as part of your job or where you are in the public eye. If you are a spokesperson, for example, a company may not want to keep you on knowing that your criminal record could become a liability.
Under California law, employers are permitted to review certain aspects of prospective employees’ records, including their driving records and criminal records. Many job applications specifically ask employees if they have a criminal arrest or conviction, and employers may follow up that question by doing a criminal background check. If you have a DUI conviction on your record, then you may not be hired.
In some cases, a company will simply not be able to hire someone with a DUI conviction, such as if a person wants to drive a school bus. That person will either be unable to obtain a commercial driver’s license and be unable to drive the bus, or the company will not be able to get insurance for that person. In other cases, a company will simply choose to not hire someone with a DUI conviction; when given the choice between two candidates with similar qualifications, many employers will choose the person who does not appear to have an alcohol or drug issue.
Beyond obtaining jobs, background checks may impact your life in other ways. Many states have tightened restrictions on volunteer positions, particularly as they relate to working with children. This includes coaching, volunteering at a child’s school, and other positions. In these cases, background checks may only include a review of crimes that may impact the safety and well-being of children. A DUI may not appear on this limited type of background check.
A DUI conviction can also impact your ability to obtain a professional license, such as a license to practice law, medicine, to be a realtor or even to teach. Carefully consider your options if you want to pursue a career in one of these fields. You should also remember that honesty is the best policy, and that in many cases, it isn’t the DUI conviction that would bar you from obtaining a license — but lying about it. Consult a DUI lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA to discuss your options if you are considering applying for a professional license and are concerned about the impact of a DUI conviction on your application.
A DUI conviction can have a severe impact on all aspects of your life, which is why it is so important to hire an experienced DUI lawyer. In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, contact the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation. We will help you throughout the process, from defending you against DUI charges to advising you on how to handle employment and other issues going forward.
