Impact of DUI/DWI Conviction on Obtaining Employment
Although most convictions from drunk driving are misdemeanors, any person convicted of drunk driving will have a criminal record. Drunk driving convictions can affect your ability to obtain or continue your employment. The majority of employers will run a background check on you and discover that you have been convicted of a drunk driving offense. For many employers, this will automatically disqualify you from employment.
If you have been arrested or convicted of a drunk driving offense, there may be things that you can do before you decide whether to disclose this information on a job application. For example, you may be eligible to clear the DUI record. It is often a good idea to try to clear your record before applying for a new job. Not all states will allow you to clear or expunge your record, but even in states that do not allow expunging the conviction, there may be actions you can take to minimize the damage by keeping the conviction from appearing on background checks.
The common belief that drunk driving convictions only remain on a person's record for five to ten years is false. The truth is that the conviction will remain on a person's record indefinitely. Any drunk driving convictions can be seen by employers, government agencies, and credit bureaus. If you have been convicted of a drunk driving offense, you should discuss your options with an experienced attorney who can protect your legal rights and advise you on how best to proceed. Copyright 2010 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. |