If you are charged with driving while intoxicated in New Jersey, you may face a range of consequences. In addition to any legal sanctions that you might be subject to, a drunk driving conviction may also cause a significant interruption to your career. There are many ways in which being charged or convicted of this offense could have an impact on your ability to find work or remain employed.
You become a liability
An employer may hesitate to hire someone who has been convicted of a DUI, regardless of the job role. This is because the business could be held liable for any future accidents that you are involved in. The law says that companies are required to take reasonable steps to protect the public. Hiring someone who has a track record of making poor decisions may be seen as negligent on its part, which could result in a judgment in favor of a future plaintiff.
Getting to work will be tough
Commuting to work may be harder if you don’t have a license or access to public transportation. Even if you do have access to public transportation, there is no guarantee that a bus or train will be available when you need to get to work. Ultimately, an employer may decide to pass on someone who can’t be relied upon to get to work on time.
Getting an education will be tough
A lack of transportation may make it difficult to finish your degree in a timely manner. Without it, you may be unable to find work that pays enough to pay your court costs, fines and other bills. The overall cost of getting a DUI may also make it harder to finish your degree program.
If you are charged with DUI, it doesn’t mean that you have committed a crime. It may be possible to cast doubt on a police report or field sobriety test results in an effort to obtain an acquittal or favorable plea deal in your case.