A DUI CONVICTION IN SOUTH CAROLINA CAN HAVE SERIOUS PROFESSIONAL CONSEQUENCES

A conviction for driving under the influence in South Carolina has major practical implications. Court and other costs – not to mention legal fees – can add up to thousands of dollars, plus the likelihood of a restricted license or even the loss of your license, potential cancellation of your auto insurance and other costs and consequences all add up to make a DUI conviction a serious problem.

Aside from financial and other consequences, though, a DUI conviction can carry other far-reaching consequences that affect your professional life. A DUI conviction can result in dismissal or suspension from many universities, and those already in the workplace also may face professional complications. Many licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and other licensed professionals, potentially face suspension or loss of their license. Even your ability to travel can be impacted. For example, Canada has a very strict policy on banning entry to anyone with a DUI on his or her permanent record. While South Carolina rules do not require a lawyer be disbarred for a DUI conviction, the rules make it clear that a lawyer can be disbarred “for conduct resulting in a criminal conviction and sentence.” For someone whose job requires a Commercial Driver’s License, a DUI could require them to find another line of work.

A DUI Conviction Can Interfere With Your Employment in Many Ways

Obviously, a DUI conviction can have a very negative effect upon a professional’s career. Even if there is no loss of professional license, reputational damage carries very real costs, as well.

Further, even for those who have no professional license or certification requirements for their work, a DUI can have an extremely negative effect upon their employment. Among those possible negative impacts are:

A DUI conviction is punishable by up to 30 days in jail for the first offense. Many employers might rather replace you than hold your job for a month.

Employers sometimes require clean criminal and driving records – a DUI would violate those requirements on both counts.

• If your job requires a security clearance, a DUI conviction could jeopardize that clearance.
• A DUI may make it impossible to drive in the course of your employment.
• Even if your job does not require a CDL, but you drive in the course of your employment, especially if you use a company vehicle, your employer’s insurance costs likely will go up, yet another negative incentive for your employer to keep you.

If You Have Been Charged With DUI in the Columbia Area, You Should Contact Criminal Defense Attorney William A. Hodge, Attorney at Law

If you are charged with DUI in the Columbia area, you should seek legal advice. Because of the serious consequences that can accompany a DUI conviction, you need a competent attorney to guide you through the legal process. William A. Hodge, Attorney at Law, can assist you with such charges. You can call me at (803) 457-2216 or use my online contact form.