Can I Get A Job With A DUI In Washington State?

A DUI conviction can potentially damage your career and personal life for decades. Job opportunities could be affected and your current job could be at risk. Even future employment opportunities 20 years from now could be affected because of a DUI conviction today.

If I’m arrested for a DUI In Washington Will I Lose My Job?

If you are convicted of a DUI, you may be disqualified from holding certain driving licenses, such as a commercial driving license or pilot’s license. Furthermore, your eligibility for professional licensure could be adversely affected.

Because of this, if you have been arrested for DUI, it pays to consider the long-term consequences of the offense and consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney who will work to help you avoid these consequences.

Many employers have a problem with employing people with criminal records for 3 primary reasons:

1. A criminal record makes it impossible for them to insure or license you.
2. A criminal record may be seen as an indication that you may be more likely than other applicants to be irresponsible or to steal from the employer or its customers.
3. Your DUI conviction may simply lead the employer to believe that you are not the type of person that they want to be publicly associated with.

However, a DUI doesn’t automatically mean that you will lose or be disqualified from getting a job. Each employer has its own hiring and employment policy. But even if the DUI conviction itself does not cost you your job, the various consequences of the conviction may negatively impact your employment.

Washington State DUI Consequences

Most people who are convicted of DUI go on to have productive lives and overcome the challenges that the conviction presents. Some of the most common ways your DUI conviction will affect your employment include:

•  A Suspended License – if your license is suspended, then you may have to rely on public or private transportation, which may not be reliable.
• Insurance Loss – if your job requires you to drive, your employer may not be able to insure you after your DUI. Furthermore, if your employer wants to keep you it may be too expensive with the increased insurance rates.
•  A Mandatory Firing Policy – if your employment contract or handbook states that a conviction is grounds for firing, then you may lose your job.
• Job Applications – you may be prevented from getting a new job if the application requires you to disclose all arrests and convictions.
• Professional licenses – usually professional licenses (lawyers, doctors, nurses, etc.) require that all arrests and convictions be disclosed to the licensing agency. Therefore, you may lose your license after a DUI conviction. No license, no job.
• Missed Work – you may have to miss a lot of work due to court appearances, alcohol treatment, community service, jail time, etc. Missing a lot of work may cause you to lose your job.

Which Jobs Are Most At-Risk After a DUI?

Any jobs could be at risk after a DUI arrest or conviction. But those that are most at risk include the following:

• Drivers – this includes bus drivers, truck drivers, delivery drivers, outside salespeople, etc.
• Teachers – if you work with children, you may have a hard time finding or keeping a job after a DUI conviction
• Jobs involving confidential information – many companies that handle confidential information will not employ anyone with a criminal record.
• Government – you may have a hard time getting a security clearance, which may prevent you from working for the government
• Military – if you can’t get a security clearance, you may also be prevented from joining the military
• Professionals – including lawyers, doctors, nurses, plumbers, electricians accountants engineers, etc.

How Do I Keep From Losing My Job After a DUI Conviction?

Bad things happen to good people all the time. But, an arrest doesn’t mean that will necessarily be convicted of a DUI. While there are no guarantees, hiring an experienced DUI lawyer as soon as you are arrested and/or charged with a DUI might help.

However, you only have a limited amount of time from the date of the violation to request an administrative hearing to fight the suspension of your driver’s license and to prepare to defend the criminal charge. You should, therefore, consult with an experienced DUI defense attorney as soon as possible after being arrested and/or charged with a DUI.

Contact Bugbee Law Office to arrange a free case consultation and to learn all your options and defenses. Call us at (509) 337-5082 or visit our contact page to speak with an experienced Spokane DUI attorney.