One poor decision to drink and drive lands you in legal trouble with long-term effects. Will a Colorado DUI ruin your career? Our firm explains everything you need to know about DUI employment consequences below.
Criminal Convictions May Impact Your Business Licensure
A professional license and a DUI don’t mix. Agencies that oversee licensing for healthcare workers, lawyers, and other professionals may see a criminal record in Colorado as grounds for revoking one’s license. Job loss after DUI convictions remains a possibility for workers around the state.
If you lose your professional license, not only are you unable to resume working in your position, but you may also face such penalties as:
- Fines
- The inability to use your business’s name
- A damaged reputation
If convicted of driving while under the influence, it may not be just your business license at stake. Judges often suspend offenders’ driver’s licenses for a set period as punishment. Your career may suffer if you can no longer drive yourself to and from work.
A Growing Criminal Record Presents Problems for Employees
Will a Colorado DUI ruin your career? The answer partly depends on the severity of the charges and any prior incidents on your record.
Say you have one too many drinks at a party, a cop pulls you over as you drive home, and they arrest you for driving under the influence. If you have a squeaky clean record, a conviction will only count as a misdemeanor crime. You won’t have to disclose the incident to employers, though they’ll learn of the arrest if they perform background checks in Colorado.
Four or more convictions become a felony, which job applicants must disclose to employers. A felony DUI and career prospects don’t usually go hand in hand. Employers may be less likely to hire felons than candidates with clean criminal records.
Hiring a reputable defense attorney remains an ideal way to attempt to clear your name and avoid major consequences. By gathering sufficient evidence and building a compelling case, your lawyer may successfully argue for an acquittal or even cause a judge to dismiss the case.
Select Industries Restrict Job Candidates With Drinking and Driving Charges
Colorado’s Department of Transportation reports that one out of every three traffic fatalities stems from an impaired driver. Certain industries can’t take the risk of hiring someone with a previous DUI conviction, as they could endanger others while on the job.
If a position involves operating a vehicle during the workday, impaired driving incidents may make you a less desirable candidate. Commercial truck drivers, package delivery workers, and taxi operators may be among the positions that are unattainable with a DUI conviction. Other positions that may face restrictions include health care workers, educators, airline pilots, and military personnel.
Hire a Trusted Lawyer for Your Criminal Defense Case
Not only will a Colorado DUI ruin your career, but it can impact your future opportunities as well. Take steps to mitigate the damage and avoid a conviction. Team up with Attorney Kevin Churchill for dedicated legal representation in your case.
Contact Churchill DUI Defense today to discuss your charges and explore defense strategies. Call (303) 832-9000 or connect with us online to schedule a consultation.