An operating while intoxicated (OWI) charge in Wisconsin can affect more than your driving record. It can also affect your job and your professional license. If you face an OWI charge, you might have questions about your future. What often happens depends on your job and how quickly you take action.
How an OWI can affect your job
An OWI does not always mean you will lose your job, but it can cause serious problems. If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), Wisconsin law requires a one-year loss of your commercial driving privileges for a first offense. This rule applies even if you drove your personal vehicle. For other workers, a suspended license can make it hard to get to work or complete job duties.
The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act protects workers from unfair treatment. In most cases, an employer cannot fire or punish you for a conviction unless the offense directly relates to your job duties. However, many companies enforce strict safety rules when criminal charges arise.
Risks to professional licenses in Wisconsin
Licensed professionals face extra pressure. Wisconsin law often requires licensed workers to report a conviction. Nurses must report a conviction to the Board of Nursing within forty-eight hours. Attorneys must notify the Office of Lawyer Regulation within five days.
Licensing boards review the facts and decide whether the OWI connects to your professional duties. Possible outcomes include a warning, required education or license suspension. You protect your future by understanding these deadlines and taking early steps to defend your license and livelihood.
