Unfortunately, you can lose your job if you’re found guilty of a DUI in Georgia. Additionally, it can make it more difficult for you to land future jobs. Understand your rights as a worker and as a job applicant by familiarizing yourself with DUI law and by investing in the counsel of an Atlanta DUI lawyer.
Can I Be Fired for a DUI in Atlanta?
In the United States, the majority of employees are free to leave their jobs at any time and for any reason. Georgia is no different in this regard. This rule safeguards employee rights, but it also means that employers may fire workers for any reason, provided that they do not do it in a way that is discriminatory against a worker because of a protected status like race or religion. However, DUI offenders are not shielded. In other words, you might lose your job if you get a DUI.
Some states have rules that forbid employers from punishing workers for some off-the-clock behaviors, such as drinking alcohol that is permitted by law. In addition, engaging in illegal activity while under the influence of alcohol does not qualify as appropriate off-duty behavior. The charge is for drinking alcohol while driving rather than just drinking alcohol. In Georgia, a simple charge of driving under the influence does not automatically result in a person’s employment being terminated. Whether or whether you would be fired for that specific infraction depends entirely on the employer and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Will I Have Difficulty Finding a Job if I Have a DUI in Atlanta?
A DUI will typically be viewed negatively by employers when considering an employee or job applicant. It’s crucial to note the difference between an arrest and a conviction in this instance.
While an arrest will show up on your criminal record, employers are not allowed to ask you questions about an arrest that did not result in a conviction or make decisions about your employment based on that arrest. On the initial application form you submit for a job, employers are not permitted to inquire about your criminal history.
However, later in the recruiting process, including during an interview, companies may inquire about your convictions. Employers may be especially sensitive to a DUI conviction for certain employment, such as those in the healthcare, government, law enforcement, or childcare industries. Such a conviction could significantly hinder your capacity to get work for these types of occupations. Employers who rigorously refuse to hire applicants with convictions on their records include some.
To put it simply, your employer in Atlanta has the legal right to fire you if you were charged with DUI while driving. However, the police won’t let your employer know about the arrest. Yes, information on arrests and court proceedings is accessible to the general public, but your boss is unlikely to be aware of it until someone makes them aware of it. If your employer learns about the DUI, they’ll likely take the following factors into account:
- Does the business have a procedure for arrests and convictions for DUI?
- In your work, have you shown responsibility? Does your job satisfy your employer?
- Will your arrest or conviction affect the reputation of your job or business?
- How does your employer see the circumstances surrounding your DUI arrest or conviction?
For some businesses, every employee must uphold a positive public image. This reputation could be damaged by a DUI. You might be fired if your supervisor thinks that the company’s reputation will be harmed by your arrest and potential conviction. On the other hand, it’s possible that your employer doesn’t have a DUI policy. If it doesn’t, your employer will make the choice and decide what’s best for the company.
A DUI arrest or charge is frequently seen by companies as a sign of inexperience and recklessness. These are not characteristics of a good worker. If your manager is already dissatisfied with the caliber of your job, a DUI can give them one more excuse to fire you.
Regardless, you will likely have a better chance at keeping your job if you are not convicted of a DUI after an arrest. An attorney that specializes in DUI law can help.
Do I Need an Atlanta DUI Lawyer?
If you have been charged with driving while intoxicated, you should think about contacting a DUI attorney to help you navigate the process and work to lessen the repercussions for yourself. A DUI attorney will guide you as your case develops and work with you to build the strongest possible defense.
Insurance firms will frequently call you and attempt to coerce you into accepting responsibility. Having legal counsel on your side will prevent you from saying anything that could be highly damaging to your case. If your defense counsel believes that taking the stand is the best option, they might even advise you against doing so. This is because the prosecution may quiz you aggressively, and you run the danger of saying something that could be used against you and diminish the value of your defense in a criminal court.
The fact that a DUI lawyer will have extensive knowledge of Georgia’s local courts is another benefit of employing one. They have criminal court experience, which can be a huge benefit to you if you’ve been charged with DUI. Even while your DUI lawyer won’t be in front of the judge as frequently as a public defender would, you can still choose to have someone on your side who has extensive experience in criminal defense.
DUI cases can be highly complicated and involve numerous deadlines. DUI attorneys are skilled in meeting all of these deadlines in DUI cases and gathering all of the evidence clients may require to support their defense if they have been found guilty of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI attorneys have the skills and legal expertise to deal with stern prosecutors on their client’s behalf.
A DUI attorney might not be able to assist you in getting your conviction overturned, but they could be able to reduce the punishment if you have already been found guilty of DUI. This could be quite advantageous for you because it implies that your conviction might not have an impact on your employment.
Remember that if you’re facing DUI charges, it is not recommended to take on your case alone. It would be in your best interest to work with an Atlanta DUI law firm that can provide you with an Atlanta criminal defense lawyer that is experienced in such cases. The Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines is here to help. Get in touch with an Atlanta DUI lawyer from our firm by calling 770-824-9998.
How Can an Atlanta DUI Law Firm Help?
If you have been charged with DUI for the first time in Atlanta, it is imperative to understand that you should not enter a guilty plea until your DUI has been thoroughly investigated and any potential defenses have been explored by counsel. For instance, there might have been an error made throughout the course of your DUI arrest. It is advisable to contact a lawyer as soon as you can following your arrest so they may analyze your case and determine the best course of action. A first-time DUI conviction in Atlanta carries serious repercussions.
According to Georgia legislation, a DUI conviction can remain on your driving record permanently. The state of Georgia similarly forbids the expungement of DUI convictions; however, with the assistance of a lawyer and their legal expertise, you could be able to reduce your DUI charge. Your driving record might be unaffected if your case is lowered or amended to reckless driving rather than DUI if the reckless driving resulted in a conviction but the adjudication was later withdrawn.
You run the risk of suffering some quite serious repercussions if you have been found guilty of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For instance, DUI convictions can lead to jail time, fines, license suspension, and job loss. Even though it is strongly advised, you are not required to employ a DUI attorney to represent you in court. If your case is not successfully defended in court, there is too much at stake.
Although it is entirely legal for you to defend yourself in a DUI trial, doing so is rarely a wise choice. Our attorneys have successfully tried several cases, and they are aware of how challenging they may be. A person who is representing themself in court and is inexperienced in the law might be very harmful. Judges frequently lack patience with self-represented defendants who are not familiar with the procedures of the criminal court.
The Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines is the Right Atlanta DUI Law Firm For You
An Atlanta DUI lawyer is your best chance if you want to escape many of the consequences of a DUI charge. You need precise information to help you navigate the initial stages of the process if you, a family member, or someone you know has been stopped for driving while intoxicated anywhere in Atlanta. Nobody expects to get arrested for drunk driving, so people are unprepared for what happens after being stopped by law authorities.
An essential stage in the DUI legal process is hiring a knowledgeable local DUI attorney. Within a week of a DUI arrest, you should hire an Atlanta DUI attorney. A knowledgeable Atlanta criminal defense lawyer ought to have the particular knowledge and resources required to successfully defend you against your DUI charges.
The Law Offices of Matthew C. Hines’ Atlanta DUI lawyers are committed to providing our clients with the best defense possible. Your free case review is the first step, during which you can learn more about the legal path in front of you. Call 770-824-9998 or use our website’s contact form to get in touch with us right away to arrange a free, private consultation with one of our outstanding DUI attorneys.