Will a DWI conviction affect employment?
The good news is that a DWI in New Jersey is a traffic offense.
While the majority of other states classify DWIs as “crimes”, it is not so in NJ.
However, once you get a DWI on your driving record, you can never get it off your record.
Your DWI conviction stays on your record forever.
Do you drive for a living?
A DWI conviction in New Jersey is not a criminal offense.
Therefore, if your employer is performing a criminal background check, your DWI conviction should not appear.
Now, if you drive for a living, then your employer may require that you “self-report” any DWI arrest and/or conviction.
For example, UBER & LYFT drivers are required to notify their employers about their DWI.
Will a DWI Conviction Affect My commercial driver's license (CDL)?
If you depend on your CDL to make a living, you will definitely face the possibility of losing your job.
Employers who depend on drivers with CDLs have no tolerance for drivers who get DWI convictions.
To repeat, a DWI in New Jersey is not a criminal offense but employers who learn that their drivers were found guilty of a DWI have no obligation to continue offering employment.
In short, if you have a CDL and get convicted for DWI, you’re probably going to lose your job.
What if i don't drive for a living?
Chances are good that your employer will never find out about your DWI conviction.
Since your employment does not depend on you being a “responsible driver”, there’s no reason for an employer to care about your driving record.
A driver’s license suspension can occur for many reasons.
For example, you may incur a license suspension for speeding or careless driving.
An employer may learn that you lost your driving privileges but may never know (or care) the reason for it.
Almost anyone can get a "First DWI"
As New Jersey DWI lawyers, we know that people from all walks of life can get a “First DWI”.
We’re not saying that it’s cool to get a DWI, but it’s more common than ever.
The legal limit is very low and it only takes two glasses of wine to put a 150 lb person over the limit.
Our DWI clients include doctors, soccer moms, stockbrokers, nurses and everything in between.
Ever think about being honest?
Employers hate liars more than they hate people with a DWI conviction.
Life happens, people make mistakes, and people pay for their mistakes.
If your employer discovers your DWI conviction and questions you about it, be truthful.
Own it, apologize, and move on.
A mature employer probably knows a close friend or family member who got a DWI conviction and won’t judge you for it.
If anything, he/she will be impressed with your honesty!
Please visit the Areas We Serve & Practice Areas pages for more information.
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