How Getting A DUI Or BUI In Pinellas County Can Impact Your Career

Operating a boat or motor vehicle in Pinellas County while impaired could result in serious charges. In addition to criminal penalties, you could be facing the loss of your job and negative impacts that hold you back from achieving career goals in the future. Our Seminole DUI/BUI defense attorney explains more about the risks.

Pinellas County Trooper Loses His Job Due To DUI

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office recently announced that one of its troopers had been fired from the job as a result of DUI charges in Tampa. The 33-year-old officer was arrested in early February 2023 after causing a side-swipe car accident. The Florida Highway Patrol arrived on the scene and noticed he had difficulty describing the circumstances surrounding the accident and showed signs of impairment, including glassy eyes and slurred speech. There was also a strong odor of alcohol coming from him and the vehicle, so Highway Patrol conducted a field sobriety test.

The officer performed poorly on these and was taken to the Orient Road Jail, where he refused a breathalyzer test. While this prevented the police from getting further evidence against him, he was still charged with Driving Under The Influence (DUI) with property damage or personal injury. He was immediately terminated from his employment following the arrest, which is standard policy for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, as well as many other employers. The officer had been employed at the Sheriff’s Office since September 2014.

Do Not Let A DUI or BUI Ruin Your Career

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, thousands of motorists throughout the state are pulled over each year under suspicion of DUI. Hundreds of other people face criminal charges related to Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Penalties include:

• Heavy fines and court costs;
• Automatic suspension of driving privileges;
• Mandatory counseling and community service requirements;
• A potentially lengthy jail sentence.

Unfortunately, a conviction will also result in a permanent criminal record, which follows you for the rest of your life. DUI and BUI arrests are part of the public record and many employers have policies that call for immediate termination. As you can see from the above case, even law enforcement officials are not immune to these consequences.

Trying to get a job after being fired for a DUI or BUI often proves challenging as well and the situation could impact not only your job prospects but your overall financial security for years into the future. To protect yourself in this situation, get an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. We can immediately begin taking action in your case to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

Contact Our Seminole DUI/BUI Defense Attorney Today

Do not take chances when it comes to DUI or BUI charges in Pinellas County. Get the professional legal representation you need at the Reep Law Firm. Call or contact us online and request a consultation with our Seminole DUI/BUI defense attorney today.

Sources:

pcsoweb.com/23-018-sheriff%E2%80%99s-office-deputy-arrested-for-dui-employee-terminated-consistent-with-sheriff%E2%80%99s-policy

flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/impaired-driving/