Since most people change jobs about every five years on average, it’s understandable why someone facing driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges would be concerned about how a DWI conviction would look on future job applications.
If you are facing DWI charges in Denton, or anywhere else in Texas, then you should know that a DWI conviction could certainly narrow down your job prospects, especially if you will be applying for any jobs that involve driving, handling sensitive information, or working with children.
If you will not be looking for any of the above types of jobs, there is a possibility that prospective employers will be willing to overlook a DWI on your record.
DWI Arrests vs. DWI Convictions
Usually, job applications will ask about misdemeanor and/or felony convictions, but they won’t ask anything about arrests. If you were arrested but not convicted of DWI, and the application does not ask about arrests, you are under NO obligation to volunteer information about your DWI arrest.
If the application only asks about felony convictions and you were convicted of a misdemeanor DWI, then again, you are under no obligation to volunteer information about the misdemeanor DWI, unless of course, the interviewer asks you about it.
If the interviewer or the application asks about any history of arrests, you should definitely be honest. We found that many employers run criminal background checks when selecting job candidates, so there is no benefit to lying about your past.
Jobs That Will Frown Upon a DWI
How will a DWI conviction affect your ability to get a job? It comes down to the type of job you are applying for, the company’s views on DWI, and whether or not the company has a strict policy against hiring people with criminal records of any kind.
For example, if you have been employed as a commercial driver, you will find difficulty finding work as a driver after a DWI. The insurance costs associated with hiring a “high risk” driver alone are usually too much for the employer to bear, so they’ll look at your resume and then your criminal record and say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”
As far as driving jobs are concerned, we’re referring to people who drive semi-trucks, school busses, tour busses, delivery trucks, and salespeople who work in the field.
If you apply for a job that involves a security clearance or handling sensitive information, you may find that the DWI conviction bars you from this type of work. Why? Because, certain employers have strict policies against hiring people with criminal records, even if it’s for a simple first-time DWI. A DWI can make it hard to get a government job or be accepted into the military.
If you’re concerned about how a DWI will affect your job opportunities, the best thing to do is avoid a conviction in the first place. Contact our Denton criminal defense firm to get started!