At Lotze Mosley, LLP, our criminal defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland know that legal trouble can impact both your personal and professional lives, leaving you with challenging questions, including who should know about your charges.
Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, the charges, and your criminal history, the penalties may include taking time away from work to ensure they are managed properly.
Does that mean you have to disclose criminal charges to your employer?
The answer is, that depends.
If you were arrested for driving under the influence, and your profession requires that you drive to and from appointments or make commercial deliveries, these charges are going to affect your employment and your overall livelihood, potentially keeping you off the road for months.
One way to determine your best course of action is to speak with a skilled Washington D.C. DUI defense lawyer who can outline the consequences of your charges, so you can make informed decisions about who you tell, and when.
Review the Employee Handbook, Contract, or Company Policy for Insight
If you are a contract employee, your official employment agreement will outline whether you need to disclose any legal trouble to your employer. Although unlikely, some contracts require employees to disclose a conviction, not necessarily an arrest, but it is worth looking into, so you are not fired if or when your employer finds out on their own.
Other companies have handbooks or policies that outline what must be disclosed to the employer.
Depending on your relationship with your employer, honesty may be the best policy.
Explain that you were arrested, have hired an attorney to fight the charges, and will be taking some time off to deal with court appearances.
DUI arrests are common, and your employer may be sympathetic.
Use Vacation or Paid Time Off to Face Your Legal Trouble
If you have paid time off (PTO), vacation time, or even personal days or sick leave saved up at work, you can plan around your court appearances and other legal obligations and take that time away from work without explanation.
If you are employed part-time, or work in a certain shift, you may be able to switch shifts or days with another employee, so you do not miss work at all.
Talking to an attorney first, so you know what to expect from your charges will allow you to make a plan that meets both your employment and legal obligations.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorneys in Maryland and Washington D.C. Today
Contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland at Lotze Mosley, LLP to determine the best course of action for your unique case by calling (202) 393-0535 today.
DUI Defense Resources:
- Top DUI/DWI Mistakes Made by Law Enforcement
- Texting or Cellphone Violations Criminal Offenses
- Understanding Your Options in a DUI Case
- The Cost of Facing A DUI Charge Without An Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney
- Maryland DUI Laws Updated as Noah’s Law Takes Effect This Month
- US Supreme Court Confirms DUI Defense against Warrantless Blood Tests
- Degree of Alcohol Impairment as DUI/OWI Defense in D.C.
- Defective Breath-Testing Device as DUI/DWI Defense
- Man Faces Murder Charges for DUI/OWI Crash
- Penalties for DUI in Maryland and Washington DC
- What Are the Terms of DUI Probation in Washington D.C. and Maryland?
- Can I Go to Jail for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Maryland?
- What to Do If Your High School or College Kid is Arrested for DUI in Washington D.C. or Maryland
- Recent DUI Verdicts
- How Long Does A Maryland Or Washington D.C. Dui Stay On Your Record?
- Experienced Washington D.C. Suspended License Attorneys
