In Pennsylvania, driving under the influence is a serious offense, and it will affect your career in a number of ways. You are likely to lose your current job if your license is suspended or if you go to jail, and you will also have a harder time finding a new job. Luckily, hiring the best DUI attorney in the Camp Hill, PA or New Cumberland, PA area can help you to avoid such harsh penalties, and your lawyer might even be able to get your case dismissed.

How a DUI Conviction Affects Your Career

Driving under the influence is taken seriously in Pennsylvania. You might be put on probation, have your license revoked for a certain amount of time, or even go to jail if your blood alcohol content was particularly high. It goes without saying that this kind of conviction can affect your career in a negative way. Not only will your current ability to work be impaired, but you might also find it much harder to secure a good job in the future.

Your Current Job 

No matter what type of work you do, it’s likely that a DUI conviction will affect it. Most people use a car to drive to work and back, and some even need a vehicle in order to perform their professional duties. If your license has been suspended because you had a very high blood alcohol content, you may not be able to get to your workplace, which could cost you your job.

Similarly, spending time in jail means that you won’t be at work, and your employer will need to replace you. Although you might spend as little as three nights in prison if you’re a first-time offender, this can be up to five years if it is your second or third conviction. In such a case, you are unlikely to get your old job back once you get out, and you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Finding Employment in the Future

People who have been to jail often have a very hard time finding gainful employment once they are released. Many businesses will not consider hiring people who have been convicted of a crime, so the only jobs available might be physical labor or temporary employment. In fact, studies have shown that almost all ex-convicts would like to find stable, legal employment, but less than half of them succeed.

Although part of this is due to the fact that some people who have spent time in jail don’t have high qualifications or are suffering from mental issues, it is also due to employers’ biases. The job market is challenging for everyone, and a conviction could make it almost impossible for you to get a good job. For this reason, it’s crucial that you do everything you can to minimize your sentence or even get the case thrown out if possible.

Your Reputation 

Aside from the practical issues related to your conviction, your reputation will also be affected. Driving under the influence is considered an irresponsible act by many employers, and they might not feel comfortable trusting you with your previous responsibilities. This is particularly true if your job involves working closely with vulnerable patients or driving around other people who could get hurt if you have an accident.

Once you’ve been convicted, it will be hard to prove that you are a responsible citizen, so it’s best to fight your charges before this occurs. An expert DUI lawyer can often get DUI cases dismissed, or they can minimize the penalties. That way, you won’t have to spend time in jail or give up your driver’s license, and your work will be affected to a much smaller degree.

Other Effects of a Conviction 

As you can see, a DUI Conviction affects your ability to work in a profound way. However, other aspects of your life might also suffer, for example, your family situation or your personal relationships. You might have had certain responsibilities such as driving your kids or your spouse to their activities or appointments, and you will no longer be able to complete these.

In a worst-case scenario, your family might be broken up due to the stress related to your conviction. This is especially common in severe cases that involve many months or even several years of jail time. Although there are self-help groups and organizations that can assist you during these difficult times, the best way to mitigate the results of your DUI conviction is to fight it and aim for a dismissal of your case.

How to Minimize the Effect of Your Conviction

The penalties for being caught driving under the influence are harsh, and they will affect your current job as well as your chances of securing gainful employment in the future. If you hold a position of power or responsibility in your community, such a conviction can cost you your reputation.

Fortunately, there are ways to fight DUI charges. Such cases can often be thrown out, particularly if the police made a mistake during the conviction or the subsequent investigation. To find these solutions and have the best chances of success, you should hire a competent DUI attorney. You should also be careful never to repeat your mistake, as second and third convictions are punished much more harshly than first-time offenses.
 

Finding the Best DUI Attorney with Camp Hill, PA or New Cumberland, PA Knowledge

Although you might be worried about whether the best DUI attorney in your local Camp Hill, PA or New Cumberland, PA area is very costly, the benefits of hiring an experienced professional far outweigh the risks. If they can help you to avoid jail time and having your license suspended, you can keep your reputation intact and retain your job despite your conviction.

When choosing your law firm, make sure they have been working in your state for several years because the DUI laws in Pennsylvania are different from those in other states. A lawyer with long-term local knowledge will also have the necessary contacts, so you can benefit from expert knowledge and advice.

Never Repeating the Mistake 

Once your lawyer has successfully fought your case and you are free to go with a minimal penalty, your work isn’t over. Since you’ve already been convicted once, you need to make sure that it never happens again. Repeat offenders are punished much more harshly, and they might face significant jail time if they are caught with a high blood alcohol content. If you’re finding it hard to resist temptation, consider addiction treatment, or call a counselor.

Getting convicted while driving under the influence can seriously harm or even end your career, especially if you lose your license or have to spend time in prison. You might lose your current job, and you’ll have a hard time finding a new one. What’s more, your personal life will also suffer as a result of your conviction.

A great DUI lawyer can help to decrease or eliminate the effect your conviction has on your life. They will take all factors into consideration, and they can often find a reason why your case should be dismissed. Call us at Jameson Stone today to book your initial appointment with one of our experienced attorneys. We will be happy to help you keep your professional life intact.