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Will you lose your job over a DUI?

On Behalf of | Jun 28, 2022 | DUI |

You may not have expected to get pulled over or deal with a possible DUI conviction, but now that you’re involved in the situation, it’s important to look into your options and to understand to possible consequences.

If you get a DUI, on thing that could be impacted is your career. Understanding if your job is at risk and what to expect if you do end up with a conviction is essential.

Will you lose your job because you are arrested for a DUI?

The first question to ask is if your job is at risk because of a DUI arrest. In most cases, an arrest isn’t enough to lose your job, but that isn’t always the reality. You could lose your job if the company handbook explicitly prohibits any kind of DUI or DUI arrest, for example.

Will you lose your job because of a DUI conviction?

A conviction is different, because you’re, at that point, considered guilty of the crime. Many employers will terminate people’s roles for criminal convictions, though it depends on what you do for the company.

For instance, if you are driving for work, your employer may decide to terminate your role since you are a greater liability to the company. On the other hand, if you work in the office and having or not having a license won’t make a difference to the company, then you may not be at risk of losing your job.

Your company may have its own policies on how it handles DUI accusations and convictions, so it’s wise to look into them.

Can you do anything to make job loss less likely?

Yes. You can fight to defend yourself against the allegations if you want to protect yourself against job loss. You can also look into getting a restricted license or seeking substance abuse counseling, both of which could help you show that you’re still willing to work and are taking steps to help yourself and prevent a recurrence of the same issue.

A strong defense can make a difference in your DUI case. You have an opportunity to defend yourself and fight the charges.