How a DUI Conviction Could Ruin Your Career
A DUI conviction is nothing that you should take lightly. If the prosecutors are successful, you could face serious consequences for the rest of your life. From restricted driving privileges to fines and even jail time, a DUI conviction is harsh even on a first-time offender. What most people do not think about, however, are the future consequences – more specifically, how a DUI conviction could alter or halt your career path entirely.
Six Ways in Which a DUI Conviction Could Ruin Your Career
Whether you are in college working toward a career or you are already working within your chosen career field, a conviction could ruin everything. Just some ways in which a DUI conviction could harm your future career include:
- You may not be able to get to work. DUI convictions come with automatic driver’s license suspensions. While this may not seem like a big deal, it could mean that you cannot get to work or you must rely on public transportation to get there. If you are frequently late, miss the bus, or your public transit system doesn’t go toward your work, you may find commuting to work to be impossible.
- You may not be able to fulfill job duties. If your work requires that you drive, your DUI conviction could mean that you are no longer able to fulfill your job duties; therefore, you will be let go. Also, your work’s insurance carrier may no longer allow you to drive company vehicles with a DUI conviction, since you are too much of a liability to employ.
- Mandatory firing policies could affect you too. Employers often state in their contracts and handbooks that any conviction of a crime could be grounds for immediate termination. This means that they have the right to terminate your employment and you may be required to notify them of your pending charges upon arrest.
- Auto insurance issues. If you are convicted of a DUI, you may not be able to continue being insured through your work’s auto insurance policy. And, if you are required to drive as part of your employment, it is unlikely that your employer will be able to continue having you work for them.
- Diversion visits. If you avoid jail time and are assigned to a diversion program, you may have mandatory visits at work. In some cases, you can avoid these mandatory workplace visits, especially if your work has specific language that means you will be terminated for such programs.
- Professional license issues. If you are a doctor, attorney, or even a nurse, you have a professional license. If you are arrested, you may be required to disclose that arrest to the professional board. That could result in a termination of your license, or a suspension – which means that you may not be able to work.
Don’t Let an Arrest Ruin Your Career
If you have been arrested for a DUI, do not let the potential conviction ruin your career. Instead, contact a DUI attorney in New Mexico immediately. The team at New Mexico Criminal Law Offices can help you with your DWI or DUI defense, and potentially keep your license as well as your job. Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation at 505-375-4664, or contact us online with your questions.