Asked 5 months ago - Smyrna, GA
FlagI've recently been charged with a DUI and according to my lawyer, I will likely be convicted of one. I've lost all hope and don't know what to do. I truly feel like my life is over since there is no way for me to get it expunged in the state of GA. What does my future look like career-wise? After doing research and reading endless stories about DUI convictions, it seems to be nearly impossible to find a job. This will possibly leave me homeless in the near future. I am very depressed and scared. I just don't know what to do. Some people tell me it's going to be OK but they've never experienced this and they have jobs. I feel like people are only telling me what I want to hear just for a sense of relief but I need to know that truth. BTW: This is my first offense.
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It will certainly hinder your job prospects if you have a career involving driving. Otherwise, however, I have had hundreds of clients in the same shoes as yours that have continued in their careers without interruption and/or have had no problem finding other jobs in the future. Do not despair. If you would like a second opinion regarding your case, please let me know if I can be of assistance.
I do not know all of the circumstances involving your case, however, I would be happy to review your case with you if you are seek a second opinion. I handle these type of cases all of the time and I am very experienced inches type of matters. Please feel free to give my office a call to scheduled an appointment if you so choose.
Darrell B. Reynolds,
Attorney and Counselor at Law
2385 Lawrenceville Highway, Ste D
Decatur, Ga. 30033
404-636-6616
The first thing is that your case needs to be investigated. No case is hopeless and there are many technical and legal defenses that can be used even in cases where you were actually impaired. No case is hopeless. If convicted, however, your life is not over. There are a few jobs where you will be disqualified. Otherwise, it will come down to how you handle yourself at interviews and how you differentiate yourself from other candidates for the same job. Your life will not be over for a traffic misdemeanor.
You should seek a second opinion, and most attorneys are willing to give you a free consultation to let you know your options. As to this being the end of the world, it does not prevent someone from becoming president, so that is not the case. Jobs involving driving will be an issue because you may not be able to have a commercial driver's license or may be to expensive to insure for a while. Also, it may show up on a background check and give pause to some employers. However, If noone who has ever received a DUI was employable, unemployment would be over 30%. Even after a plea or conviction, you should be able to get a permit to drive to and from work. Seeking treatment, which would be a required part of the sentence is something to bring up during job interviews where the DUI is discussed, to show that you have made an effort to clean up your life.
As to trying your case, most qualified DUI lawyers can tell you your chances pretty accurately, and you should listen to your lawyer's explanations for why they think you would loose at trial. The second opinion is a good idea if the lawyer is not explaining it to you fully. If they have given you an explanation based on their opinion and experience with the court where the case is located, you should listen to them. Going to trial sometimes results in additional punishment if the Judge feels that the case was a no brainer and you are wasting their time.
While a DUI conviction does not help in getting a job, for most jobs it isn't a deal-breaker either. Your life is not over. What is important is to learn from this.
