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Can I Be Turned Away From a Job Because I Have a DUI On My Record?

Posted: Thursday, July 18th, 2019 at 11:16 pm

Can I Be Turned Away From a Job Because I Have a DUI On My Record?

Having a DUI on your record can affect you for years into the future. Many people are concerned that they won’t be able to find employment because they have a DUI on their record. Yes, you can be turned away from the job because of a DUI. However, there are many factors that are usually considered when determining whether or not to hire you. These are some of the factors your potential employer might be looking at. It’s important to know what matters to a potential employer so you can answer these questions in an interview or on your application.

Severity of the Crime

The severity of the crime or the circumstances surrounding your DUI and might have a lot to do with whether or not you are turned away from a job. For instance, if it was a mistake you made once and it was a misdemeanor, you might still have a chance at getting a job. However, if the crime was very severe and included violence or endangering a minor, that might give a potential employer a bit more pause when it comes to giving you a shot. As with most things in life, the severity of the DUI itself will likely weigh heavily on the mind of your future employer.

Criminal History

Your criminal history will also have a lot to say to your potential employer. If the DUI in question was the only thing that you’ve ever done wrong or got in trouble for, you’re probably going to have a much easier time getting a job. However, if that DUI was just one violation or conviction in a series of criminal convictions, it might be a lot more difficult to land a job. Whether or not your criminal history will play into an employment decision has a lot to do with the type of job you’re applying to, as well. But for most employers, the more criminal convictions you have and the longer your record is, the less likely it will be that they’ll take you onto their team.

Age At the Time Of the DUI

How old you were at the time of the DUI can also play into the decision making process of your potential employer. Let’s say you were 22 at the time and you ended up with a misdemeanor DUI. That might easily be explained away as being young and careless and making a mistake that ended up on your record. However, if you were 35 or 40 at the time of your DUI and you also have a criminal history surrounding it, that might make things a little more difficult for you.

Life Since the DUI

Another thing that employers might look at is what you’ve done with your life since your conviction. Having a DUI on your record is not an end-all be-all when it comes to employment. If you’ve taken substantial efforts to clean up your life since then, you can show that you’ve been a productive member of society since the conviction, and you have witnesses and references who are willing to back up your character, you still might be able to get a job. Everybody makes mistakes, so it’s usually not a single mistake that will turn away an employer. Employers are most often turned away by repeated behavior that they find troubling.

Type of Job

Finally, the type of job you trying to get also plays a factor in whether or not a DUI will matter. If you’re trying to get a trucking job or a job that involves a lot of driving, a DUI will be a lot more relevant to that employer than if you’re trying to find a job filing papers or working in a warehouse. Think of it this way. If you were trying to find an employee to handle your finances, would you want to hire somebody who have been accused of fraud or theft? Probably not. That’s likely the same attitude your potential employer will take about a DUI.

Having a DUI on your record can cause you a lot of trouble, but there are some situations in which you can have that record expunged. If you’re finding it difficult to get a job because of that DUI, ask a DUI attorney in your state whether or not you can expunge your record. If you can’t, you can work with an employment attorney in your state to make sure that you’re not being discriminated against unfairly. Get a consultation with an experienced attorney in your state today and take the first step down the road towards protecting your freedom and your future.

 

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