A person can only receive a DUI conviction after a judge or jury trial or after a guilty or no-contest plea. Even after paying fines or completing a substance abuse treatment course, this conviction can stick with you, and you may be asked to disclose past convictions if you try to apply for a job. Here is what you should know about this process and how a DUI attorney can assist you.

Do You Have to Disclose a Conviction?

If a job application asks about your criminal history, you must provide this information. Failing to do so could prohibit you from receiving an offer if the employer performs a background check, as they may not consider you trustworthy. At the worst, lying about the conviction can be considered fraud. The best solution is to answer honestly when an application or employer asks you directly about a DUI or other criminal convictions in your past. However, if an application asks about felony convictions and your DUI was a misdemeanor, you can answer no to this question.

Another aspect to consider is if the employer runs a background check. Even if you were not convicted for a DUI, the check may reveal the initial arrest. If you did not disclose this information, the employer may not view this favorably.

What Are Your Options?

In Ohio, certain offenses do not qualify for expungement, and a DUI is one of them. That means you cannot have a DUI erased from your record, so it will remain visible to anyone who performs a criminal background check, including potential employers.

The most effective option is to hire a DUI attorney to fight the charges while the case is still pending in court. A lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest to build a strong case in your favor. For example, they may find that the officers made certain mistakes, which can cause the judge to throw out the case. Alternatively, they may negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce the charge in exchange for a guilty plea. If the case goes to trial, you have a better chance of beating the charges with a skilled DUI attorney representing you.

If you are charged with a DUI, contact James F. Bogen, Attorney at Law, for help fighting the charges and preserving your future job prospects. Based in Cincinnati, OH, this DUI attorney has been in practice since 2002. He fights for the rights of every client to ensure they are given a fair trial. Call (513) 503-7251 to schedule a consultation, and visit the website to explore his services.