A DUI conviction is almost certain to result in a fine. Based on the circumstances of your arrest, you could also lose your driving privileges or have limitations placed on your license. You may even be sentenced to time in jail.
All of these things can place a burden on your personal life and your finances. At least these are penalties that you are made well aware of, which allows you to respond accordingly. A DUI conviction can also have consequences beyond your direct knowledge that can have a profound impact on your life.
When you apply for a job, an employer will typically perform a check on your background. Depending on the manner in which that check is conducted, it is possible that it will reveal if you have a DUI conviction. It is true that there may be legal limitations placed on an employer’s ability to use a DUI conviction as the basis for rejecting an applicant.
However, in Louisiana, an employer could reject your application if it can be demonstrated that the conviction is relevant to the position for which you applied. The major case in point would be if you were trying to get a job as a commercial driver for a truck, taxi or bus company.
The fact is that even if you have legal protections against discrimination based on your convictions, employers typically make their decisions in private. As such, you will likely never know if your conviction played a role in you not getting a job. What’s more, we live in a competitive world, and when assessing applications, employers may be more likely to look for job candidates who have clean records.
Since a DUI conviction will not only affect your immediate future but your long-term prospects as well, you may wish to consider your legal options carefully before entering a plea. A Louisiana criminal defense attorney may be able to help you build a strong defense aimed at having the charges dropped.