Driving while under the influence of alcohol may put you at a higher risk of hurting yourself, others in your vehicle or others sharing a Texas road with you. It may also hinder your ability to obtain housing, get a degree or keep your license, which can all have a negative impact on your career.
How does a DWI make it harder to find housing?
If you are charged with DWI, you may incur thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you are convicted of the charge, you may incur thousands of additional dollars in fines and increased auto insurance rates. Ultimately, a lack of funds will likely limit where you can afford to live, which could result in living in an area that doesn’t have public transportation. It’s worth noting that landlords may reject a rental application because you have a criminal record, which can further impede your ability to find a place to live.
A lack of education can limit your earning potential
It will be difficult or impossible to find work as a doctor or lawyer if you don’t have a college degree. In some cases, it can be hard to find work in the retail industry if you don’t have a degree or aren’t currently working toward one. A DWI conviction may result in the loss of scholarships or being kicked out of school, which means that you might not be able to get the credentials needed to advance in your career.
Certain sectors require workers to have valid licenses
You likely won’t be able to work as a delivery person if you don’t have a license because it was taken away following a DWI conviction. It’s also unlikely that you’ll be able to work as a caregiver or any other profession that requires the ability to drive.
If you are charged with DWI, it may be possible to cast doubt on the allegation. This may be done by questioning the results of a sobriety test, witness testimony or other evidence used by the state in your case.