Conviction or not, one of the first emotions people feel when they are arrested and charged with DUI is fear. The fear is generally of the unknown. What is going to happen? What comes next? What will friends and family think? Is everyone going to find out? All of these questions run through a person’s mind, and they tend to run through the mind in a sort of jumble. There is little doubt that being arrested for any crime is stressful, especially if a person has never been on the wrong side of the law before.
In the days following an arrest, emotions become less sharp and other questions begin to surface. It is not unusual for people to begin looking toward both the immediate and distant future. People begin to wonder what will happen to life as they know it if they are convicted. One of the biggest concerns is their ability to maintain their job.
A DUI conviction can affect a person’s current employment if driving is part of their duties. An employee cannot drive a company vehicle if their license is suspended. A conviction can also have an impact on certain professions that require licensure, like teaching. This is especially true if the DUI conviction is a felony.
A person convicted of a DUI may not only find it difficult or impossible to maintain their current employment, but find it rather trying to secure a different position. Employers may look at criminal and driving records as a part of the hiring process. While it is technically not permissible to refuse to hire someone based on their criminal past, that is not realistic. Employers pass over people with blemishes on their records every day. Competition is fierce in today’s job market. One mistake can mean the difference between being hired and being passed over.
When a person is convicted of driving under the influence, it is not only their immediate future that is impacted. If that person cannot keep their current job due to professional or legal restrictions, they are forced to look for other work. If they can’t find another job, they have no source of income. When a person has no source of income, the rest of their life is negatively affected.
In some cases, a judge may grant the clearing of a driving record, including expunging a DUI. However, there are strict criteria that must be met. When a DUI involves extensive property damage or injury, having the record cleared is close to impossible. This is why it is so important for anyone charged with a DUI to hire an experienced attorney who understands the nuances of local and state law.
If you have been charged with DUI in Pennsylvania, reach out to our office today. Do not attempt to fight your charges on your own. We will help to minimize the impact the charges have on your life as much as possible. Call the office today and schedule an appointment for a free case evaluation and discover the options available to you.