FAQ – Employment Effects of DUI / OVI in Columbus & Central Ohio

A: Maybe. There is a difference between a charge (accusation) and a conviction. Some employees are required to report only convictions, while other employees are required to report being charged. You should read closely the terms and conditions of your employment in your employee handbook, collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or similar document. That document likely tells you whether you need to report being charged with a DUI / OVI.

A: Maybe. Some employees are required to report all convictions, others are obliged to report only felony convictions or other listed types of convictions, and some are not required to report any convictions. You should read closely your employee handbook, collective bargaining agreement, employment contract, or similar document which contains the terms and conditions of your employment. That document likely tells you whether you need to report being convicted of a DUI / OVI.

A: The impact of a DUI / OVI on a person’s employment varies from person to person. For some employees, the discipline for a conviction is spelled-out in the document which discusses the terms of employment. For other employees, the document is silent about such discipline, and some employees do not have written conditions of employment.

Unless you have an employment contract or a collective bargaining agreement, your employment is ‘at will’. That gives an employer much latitude in imposing discipline, and you can be fired for essentially any reason, subject to written employment terms and legal limitations.

In addition to the DUI / OVI conviction, circumstances created by a DUI / OVI may affect employment. Having to display yellow license plates or use an ignition interlock device may alert an employer of an employee’s DUI / OVI. A license suspension may impact an employee’s ability to drive for work. A jail term may cause a person to miss work.

A: For some occupations, a DUI / OVI will have a more significant impact. For example, commercial drivers will have their CDL disqualified for a DUI / OVI or a license suspension. Other occupations which may be more affected by a DUI / OVI include bus drivers, pilots, drivers for Uber/Lyft/taxis, military, law enforcement, and civil service employees. In addition, employees who drive company cars and individuals with professional licenses may be especially affected by a DUI / OVI.

A: A DUI / OVI defense lawyer cannot alter your reporting requirements or change the employment consequences of a DUI / OVI, but an effective DUI / OVI defense lawyer can help you improve the outcome of the case: possibly avoiding a DUI / OVI conviction and its associated penalties.