If you are arrested for drunk driving, you'll have to worry about keeping your driver's license, keeping your auto insurance, and hiring a lawyer to deal with the license suspension and criminal defense. But you may not be thinking of how a DUI could affect your ability to get a job, even years down the road. Unfortunately, a DUI conviction can have an effect on what jobs you will apply for, and the chance that you'll get hired. Don't let one lapse of judgement hurt your future job opportunities.

For some jobs, a DUI may mean the applicant won't be considered, or they may be passed over in favor of a candidate without a DUI. It may not seem fair that a job that doesn't include driving can discriminate for a driving conviction, but there is no specific employment protection for people with a criminal drunk driving record. Preventing an arrest from becoming a conviction is the best way to protect your employment future.

Job-Hunting with a DUI

A DUI may first become a problem for job hunters before they even start the application process. Some jobs may be too difficult to get right after a DUI. These are usually jobs that involve a lot of driving, or jobs that deal with public safety. Employers may be cautious of hiring applicants with one or more DUIs because it may indicate some underlying problem, such as substance abuse. Other employers may not want to deal with the added costs of insuring employees with a DUI record. Jobs that more heavily discriminate against applicants with a DUI may include truck drivers, taxi cab drivers, teachers, nurses, police officers, heavy equipment operators, and delivery drivers.

When Will a DUI Disappear?

For other jobs, most employers do background checks before hiring an applicant. Even if a DUI happened 5 or 10 years ago, it will still show up on a criminal background check. This is because Georgia does not provide for expungement of DUI convictions. Unlike some other states, in Georgia, a DUI will remain on a driver's criminal record for the rest of their life.

Even if there is no issue of driving on the job, if some employers are considering two equal candidates, and one has a DUI, they may hire the applicant without a DUI. This is especially competitive in a tough job market, where there are lots of potentially qualified job applicants for a few number of jobs.

This doesn't mean an applicant should try and hide a DUI, or fail to disclose it if an employer asks about a DUI conviction. Most job applications will only ask about felony convictions, whereas most DUIs are treated as misdemeanors. However, they may end up asking about a DUI during the interview process. In these cases, it is best to be truthful, because an employer can easily verify the applicant's criminal record through a background check. If the applicant appears to be hiding information about their arrest record, most employers will not be interested in hiring them.

Just because you had a DUI conviction, don't worry, not all is lost. Some jobs don't care about a DUI, and the longer it has been since the DUI, the less important it is for most employers. However, if you haven't been convicted, then there is still a chance to prevent a DUI arrest from ending up on your criminal record.

Atlanta DUI Defense for Employees

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a DUI in Atlanta or the surrounding area, a helping hand can guide you through the process, and make sure you are treated fairly by the courts and the state. But you must make the call, so we can stop your license from being automatically suspended. We will fight the charges against you and make sure the DUI remains in the past. Call me anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.