A driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction undoubtedly can have an impact on a person’s employment opportunities. If you were arrested or convicted of DWI in Texas, you may be wondering, “Do I have to disclose my DWI on job applications?” The answer – it depends.
Some applications ask about arrests and convictions. On the other hand, some applications ask only about felony convictions, but not misdemeanors. So, what you need to do is “read the fine print carefully” and be honest.
For example, if the application asks you if you’ve ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony and you were convicted of a misdemeanor DWI, you would want to check “yes.” However, if the application only asks about felonies, you do not need to mention the DWI.
Do I Have a Duty to Volunteer My DWI?
If the application does not ask you about any criminal convictions, you are under no obligation to volunteer this information. In most cases though, at the bare minimum the application will ask if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony. If the application only asks about felony convictions and you have a misdemeanor DWI on your record, you don’t need to bring it up.
Sometimes, an applicant will be hired on the spot and they won’t fill out a job application. In this case, the small business owner or hiring manager my verbally ask the person if he or she has a criminal record. If you’re asked this by a prospective employer – again, honesty is the best policy. DWIs do come up on background checks, so you definitely don’t want to lie about it.
According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, “Most states allow employers to ask about convictions, but not about arrests. However, some states have specific arrests employers can inquire about.” We’ve noticed this too, especially when people apply for positions involving driving, children, or access to medications.
If you’re facing DWI charges in Plano or Dallas, contact our firm for a hard-hitting DWI defense. Get a top-rated firm on your side!