If Florida residents work in certain industries or occupations, their behavior off the clock may significantly impact their employment. For instance, a DUI could lead to a suspension or even an immediate termination. This makes challenging such a charge crucial.
For example, an off-duty police officer in one Florida city was involved in a single-car accident just before 2 a.m. on a recent Friday. When an officer arrived at the scene, impairment was suspected due to the strong smell of alcohol coming from the driver of the vehicle. Field sobriety tests were performed that she allegedly failed, and the officer on scene arrested her.
Police in Ocala say that the woman’s blood alcohol level ranged from .198 to .20. Despite the fact that the now former Ocala police officer has yet to be convicted of a crime, the department let her go. She was still in her probationary period at the time of her arrest, and the department has a no tolerance policy for drunk driving.
Other Florida residents could find themselves in similar situations if they are arrested for DUI. Hopefully, other employers will wait to make a decision regarding an individual’s employment until after the court makes a determination regarding any pending charges. The risk of losing a job makes challenging the charges even more important. Many people are willing to deal with the repercussions of a first-time DUI. However, when their livelihoods are at stake, they may think differently and take any steps necessary to achieve a positive outcome to the charges.
