Getting convicted of a DUI charge in Alabama can have serious consequences including license suspension/revocation, fines, and jail term. In addition to this, a DUI conviction can also have an adverse impact on your employment prospects in the state.
How Does a DUI Conviction Affect Your Employment Status in Alabama?
Alabama happens to be one of the few states where there are no laws or guidelines in place to restrict employers from screening potential employees based on their criminal record. So, a DUI conviction can certainly make it harder for you to compete in the job market, irrespective of your qualifications.
A vast majority of employers in Alabama tend to look into the driver history of potential employees and conduct a background check as part of the screening process. So, if you have a DUI conviction on your record, it can affect your chances of getting hired.
If, on the other hand, you already have a job, a DUI conviction can result in your suspension or termination in certain cases. For example, if you work for an automobile dealer, a DUI conviction could put your job in jeopardy as most of these dealers tend to have a ‘morals’ clause in the employment agreement which allows them to fire you if you are convicted of a crime.
Similarly, if you are a licensed security broker, a DUI conviction can get you disqualified, which can prevent you from associating with the securities industry.
Many employers in Alabama also require you to voluntarily disclose DUI arrests – or any criminal arrest for that matter – within a short period of time. Once you do, appropriate action will be taken against you based on the company’s policies. Depending on the nature of your work and the employer you work for, you might also be asked to attend a rehabilitation program and/or be demoted, suspended, or terminated.
Impact of DUI Convictions on Professional License Applications
Applying for a professional license or renewing your professional license can be extremely difficult if you get convicted for DUI.
For example, a law student who gets arrested for DUI will be required to appear before the Alabama State Bar’s Character & Fitness Committee before they can sit for the Alabama bar exam.
The same rule also applies to other licensed professions such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, teachers, and so on. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the charges against you, the board might decide to withhold, deny, or revoke your license.
Impact of DUI Arrests in Military
If you have a misdemeanor DUI conviction on your record, you are still eligible to serve in the military. If, on the other hand, you have a felony DUI conviction, you are not eligible for military service.
Service members facing DUI charges might be prosecuted by a military court or a civilian court, depending on where they get arrested.
For example, if you get arrested on a military base, you will be subject to administrative actions as well as a court martial. Depending on the seriousness of the charges against you, your punishment can range from a letter of reprimand to grade reduction, forfeiture of pay, imprisonment, or dismissal.
If you, on the other hand, get arrested away from your base, you will be prosecuted by a civilian court, in which case you will have to pay a fine and serve a jail term.
Impact of DUI Convictions on Commercial Truck Drivers
If you are a commercial truck driver, a DUI conviction is one of the worst things that can happen to you professionally. If you are convicted for the first time, your license will be suspended for a period of one year. If you are convicted for the second time, you will receive a lifetime suspension.
The important thing to be noted here is that in Alabama these penalties are applicable irrespective of the vehicle you happen to be driving at the time of your arrest. For example, if you get arrested for DUI while driving a private passenger car, your commercial driver’s license will still get suspended.
DUI Defense Lawyers in Alabama
As you can see, a DUI conviction – whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony – can severely affect your employment opportunities in Alabama. So, if you are arrested for DUI, it is essential for you to hire an experienced lawyer and fight the charges against you.
At Darley Law, LLC, we can aggressively defend you in court. We will go to work immediately to thoroughly assess your case and begin putting together a strong and effective defense strategy with the goal of minimizing the negative consequences as much as possible.
If you or any of your family members have been arrested for DUI in Alabama, call 251-441-7772 for a free consultation.