legal issues with neighbors

If you have been charged with a DUI, you might wonder what the next steps are and if you must tell your employer about this. It is important to remember that being charged with a DUI isn't the same thing as being convicted. There might be a chance that this won't stand up in court and your charge will be ultimately be overturned. Here are four things to think about when it comes to your DUI court date and what you owe your employer in the meantime.

1. Get Advice From Your DUI Attorney

Your attorney will be the first resource when it comes to your case and your right to confidentiality. They will know the nuances within your state and county, what areas in your life you will need to disclose information, and why. Be sure to keep communication open with your lawyer. If you have had adverse affects from disclosing your charges, this might have been handled improperly.

2. Make Sure You Aren't Breaking Any Laws

Depending on the severity of your DUI charges, your license might suspended, changing your situation. If your work position requires driving, you will need to disclose this immediately. If your DUI charges are compounded with other criminal charges, make sure that other charges don't correlate with anything job-related as well.

3. Contract Obligations

If you work for a government agency or are part of a union, you may need to disclose information on DUI charges. Make sure to bring your hiring docs or contracts to your attorney to review. If you don't need to disclose anything until you have been officially convicted, you can keep this information to yourself. Some professional licenses will require disclosure if you have been convicted of a DUI, but this is separate from your employer.

4. Time Off for Court

If you are working to lessen or overturn your DUI charges, this will involve time working with your lawyer and attending your court hearing. If you will need time off for work, you might need to tell your employer some of the story. Only your DUI attorney can advise you whether you need to disclose your reason for time off. If your curious employer is bullying you to disclose more information, consult with your DUI attorney like Wood Patricia K Atty on your rights.

Fighting a DUI is a stressful situation that can involve a lot of prep work with your attorney. If you are worried about keeping information from your employer, be sure to know the nuances of your situation. Work with your DUI attorney to make sure that your privacy is protected, and at the same time that you aren't withholding information from your employer.