How Will A DWI Affect My Job In Waynesville, NC

By James Minick


DWI charges in Waynesville, North Carolina can carry with them all kinds of repercussions, such as probation, fines, court costs, jail time, and community service. Following a DWI conviction, an individual can face changes in their probationary status, license revocation, car insurance rate hikes, not to mention the embarrassment many face within their families and community. Perhaps the most important consequence of a DWI charge, or pending charge, is the effect it can have on your employment. There are a lot of questions that arise when one is faced with a criminal charge, like a DWI.

Do I have to report a DWI charge to my employer? Many employee handbooks require an employee to report in the event of a criminal charge. The handbook will normally discuss what types of criminal charges require reporting as well as which supervisor to report the incident to.

If I'm not required to report the DWI, should I anyway? If your employee does not issue a handbook, or does not require reporting of traffic related charges such as DWI, it can be tricky to decide whether or not to report it to your employer. Depending on the circumstance, the answer can vary. If you think your employer will find out anyway (like for example if your employer performs routine background checks as a matter of course), it might be better to tell them before they find out on their own. It will help you establish trust and show your responsibility, and give you a chance to address the issue in a forthright manner. You may want to contact an attorney before disclosing this information to your employer, for your protection.

Q. Will I lose my job as a result of a DWI conviction? It depends. For some employers (particularly governmental agencies), a DWI charge could automatically result in dismissal (E.g. officers in the military are at a high risk of losing rank or being discharged when convicted of DUI/DWI). Private employers often have great leeway in setting policies for determining whether to terminate an employee convicted of a DWI charge. Moreover, certain types of charges are likely to be viewed more negatively by an employer than others (e.g. larceny and other theft related charges are often extremely worrisome for employers if the employee is a cashier or handles a large amount of inventory, whereas a DWI is not).

Receiving a DWI charge is a stressful and complicated ordeal, and you want to make sure you seek advice as to whether or not to report it to your employer, and how best to do it.

When faced with a DWI, nothing can be more important than finding an attorney with the right experience to handle your case. Call Minick Law today for your free consultation.






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