If a New Jersey police officer pulls you over in a traffic stop, any number of issues might arise. The officer might inform you that one of your brake lights is not functioning or might write you out a ticket for speeding. If the officer asks you to step out of your vehicle, it suggests that he or she suspects you of drunk driving.
If a DWI arrest takes place, even if you have never faced arrest for anything in the past, the incident can have far-reaching implications in your life, including but not limited to your career. Your case may never go to trial, or you might incur a conviction. Either way, the fact that police arrested you and charged you with drunk driving can have adverse effects on your private and professional life.
A DWI conviction might make you ineligible for a job application
Even if it was a first offense, having a drunk driving conviction on your criminal record can make it difficult for you to get a job. In some cases, you might not even be able to apply for a particular position, much less hope to be hired. Various federal and state laws may apply regarding an employer’s right to refuse hire or application in such circumstances.
For instance, if you were driving a commercial vehicle at the time of your arrest, and the court handed down a conviction, you may not be able to operate a commercial vehicle for a certain amount of time, which means you may be prohibited from applying for a commercial driving job.
Sometimes a DWI remains on your record indefinitely
The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs background checks that outside companies might make with regard to a prospective employee. If police arrested you (but there was no conviction) of a DWI, it would not be reportable after seven years. However, if you incurred conviction, it is a reportable issue, indefinitely.
A DWI arrest, and ever more so, a conviction, can have a long-lasting, negative effect on your ability to secure gainful employment in New Jersey or elsewhere. If you hold a professional license of some kind, your license may be suspended or permanently revoked in connection with a drunk driving conviction, which is why it is always best to consult with someone who knows how to navigate the criminal justice system if you have been arrested and are facing DWI charges in this state.