Wisconsin has been criticized for having among the most lenient laws and sentencing guidelines in the nation for those convicted of operating while intoxicated or driving under the influence. While Wisconsin’s laws may be comparatively weaker, they are nonetheless significant and highly punitive.
Moreover, it is important to remember that an OWI/DUI conviction could negatively impact your life beyond just the criminal consequences. It could also jeopardize other areas of your life, including your job.
Commercial drivers often have the most to lose as the result of a drunk-driving conviction. Whether you transport people or cargo, your commercial driver’s license could be at risk if convicted of an OWI or DUI. Loss of your CDL typically means the loss of a job. If you are covered by your company’s auto insurance, the insurance company may threaten to drop coverage, which would likely put pressure on the company to terminate your employment.
Even if you are not a commercial driver, you likely need to drive yourself to and from work. Depending on your driving record and other factors surrounding your arrest, a DUI conviction could result in a loss of license. If you become frequently late as a result of relying on public transportation, this could also threaten your job.
Finally, many companies have policies stating that a criminal conviction is grounds for termination. Therefore, an OWI/DUI conviction could cost you your job even if your job has little or nothing to do with driving.
To be clear, none of these outcomes is a guarantee in every case. Rather, they are some of the possible non-criminal consequences that many defendants fail to consider until it is too late. When it comes to drunk driving charges, you simply can’t afford to take chances. For this and other reasons, you may wish to seek the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Source: AOL Jobs, “9 Ways A DUI Will Destroy Your Career,” Donna Ballman, Jan. 21, 2014