It is well-known that being convicted of drunk driving in Wisconsin or any other state can have long-lasting repercussions. As opposed to minor traffic violations, OWI is considered a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances. In addition to penalties such as jail time, fines or license suspension, a drunk driving conviction can also negatively affect one’s personal and professional life.
Most prospective employers do background checks nowadays. A person being considered for a job may not fare well if a background check reveals an OWI conviction. It can be difficult to get to and from work if a driver’s license has been suspended or revoked, so this is another possible negative consequence associated with drunk driving convictions.
Someone who already has a job could get fired if he or she is arrested and charged with operating while influenced by drugs or alcohol. This is often because the worker often has to take off due to scheduled court hearings or other legal appointments. Just because someone is arrested for drunk driving, however, doesn’t mean he or she is guilty of the crime.
An experienced Wisconsin criminal law attorney can often help mitigate circumstances involving OWI. It pays to request legal representation as soon as possible after an arrest has taken place. An attorney can determine what issues might be available to help give a client an advantage in court. He or she can also protect a client’s rights, especially regarding possible violations that may have occurred during or just after arrest.