9 Ways A Houston DUI Can Wreck Your Career
Part 1
Without a doubt, being arrested for a DUI may completely devastate your life. While losing your job is only one of the possible outcomes, it is a very real one. Granted, your job is your source of sustenance. Without a job, you have no money, you can’t pay your bills, buy food, and so much more.
As such, it is easily the worst that could happen after being arrested. Even for a first-time DUI, the consequences can be detrimental. Here are 9 ways that a DUI charge in Houston might ruin your career:
1. A Suspended License
After a DUI arrest, your driver’s license will be suspended. If you drive for a living, the effects are obvious, but even if you do not have to drive while on the job, this can have an impact on your career. People who drive to work every day will particularly have to pay the expensive price of a private driver or taxi every day. Public transport on the other hand may be unreliable.
A suspended license can also have negative consequences in the sense that you may be required to show your driver’s license for a new position. Without it, you could miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and as such, climbing up your career ladder may be jeopardized.
2. Insurance Cancellation
After a DUI conviction, you may be eligible for a limited license that allows you to drive to and from work. However, just because the authorities agree to let you keep your driver’s license does not imply your insurance carrier would. Many insurance companies refuse to insure anyone who has been convicted of DUI.
Being uninsured is obviously a huge risk when you need to drive to and from work every day. When your insurance firm refuses to cover you, you could be out of commission for a long while you look for a new provider. Either way, expect insurance cover to be far more expensive than it was before the conviction.
3. The Possibility Of Being Fired
Yes, the worst-case scenario is a possibility as well. Employers are increasingly introducing obligatory firings for criminal convictions in their employee handbooks. They frequently make it essential for you to notify the arrest as quickly as possible when this is included in the company clause. If this is the case, even a minor DUI charge could force you to leave your employment sooner than expected.
4. Rehabilitative Programs
The courts may offer you a diversion, or rehabilitative, program to keep you out of jail. However, you must plead “guilty” or “no contest” to the felony to be eligible for a diversion program, and the courts may require that your employer be informed of the situation. A caseworker may even visit you at your workplace. Even if you keep your license and escape jail time, if your employer finds out and has a mandatory termination policy, you could still lose your job.
Reach out to Jim Butler today by calling (713) 236-8744. Schedule a free consultation so that you can learn more! Visit our blog for more related articles. Click here for the second article in this series.