As far as the course of daily life is concerned, there are few situations that can be more awkward than having to admit you’ve got a court date for a DUI, especially when you have to break the news to your boss. While getting in trouble with the law isn’t the worst thing to have happen, having to go to court isn’t a great thing, particularly when it concerns your job.
The Problem with going to Court
Aside from the most obvious issue, the fact that you’re going to court because of trouble with the law, telling your boss can create other issues. If you’re job has anything to do with driving, whether it be basic transportation such as store transfers or pickups, a DUI causes a significant hindrance as you might not be able to do so in the future. For drivers with special licenses such as a CDL, a DUI can cost you your job outright as you’re no longer able to perform the duties of your job to begin with. A DUI can and will cause some damage to both your life and your livelihood, especially if driving is your main responsibility.
Another issue with having to go to court is that it can very quickly create a stigma around you. Once someone is labeled the dark spot of “criminal activity” even for a DUI, it changes people’s perceptions of you. This not only causes problems for you in the workplace, but also puts your career in serious jeopardy.
How to Break the News
Due to the sensitive nature of this circumstance, it’s important to take the matter seriously. If you have a good working relationship with your employer and your job isn’t strictly based on your ability to drive, you might find yourself in a better position, but don’t count on it. The most advisable course of action is to say as little as possible. If you’re going to court for a DUI then, with the help a good attorney, you might be able to walk away with both license in hand and reputation intact. Many lawyers will advise you that, so long as you’re not legally obligated to report the situation to your employer, don’t. Don’t speak with co-workers about it either, it only takes a moment around the water cooler for word to get out. While this doesn’t guarantee that the news won’t eventually get out, taking a few precautionary steps is always a good idea.
What Should You Do?
If you’re facing a court date for a DUI arrest, your best option is to get a DUI defense lawyer. Even though you’re going to court, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be convicted of a DUI. Hiring an experienced DUI lawyer will help your chances in court of being acquitted of the charges, which eliminates the worries of jail time, license suspension, as well as eliminating the need for you to break the news to your boss that you’ve been convicted of a DUI. It’s important to remember, a DUI is a serious matter and can quickly ruin your career, don’t take that chance.
+Andrew is one of the leading DUI and criminal defense attorneys in both the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. He blogs about Maryland DUI law, has numerous videos on the subject and has been asked to appear on national television to offer his legal opinion on high-profile criminal cases.