You may have experienced a momentary lapse of judgment when you decided to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or partaking in drugs. But the consequences of receiving a subsequent driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge may follow you around forever. Specifically, you may continually live with the fear that your past DWI offense will resurface upon any background check conducted against you. Understandably so, you may not want this one-time mistake to jeopardize your opportunities indefinitely. Well, continue reading to learn whether your DWI will show up on a background check and how one of the experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorneys at McNerney & McAuliffe can help you better anticipate its repercussions.
Will my DWI show up on a background check in New Jersey?
Most importantly, you must understand that New Jersey statute does not recognize a DWI offense as criminal. Rather, it is considered to be a traffic offense. This is to say that your DWI offense may not appear on your permanent criminal record. Therefore, it may not come up on a criminal background check against you.
What records might my DWI show up on?
Even though your DWI offense may not appear on your permanent criminal record, it may be indefinitely noted on your driving record (i.e., the New Jersey Driver History Abstract). This may come with its own set of consequences.
For one, upon learning of this infraction, the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may take it upon themselves to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke your driver’s license. That is, the DMV may suspend your driver’s license for anywhere between three months to one year for a first offense of DWI. The exact duration may depend on your recorded blood-alcohol content (BAC) level and other disclosed elements of your case.
Secondly, upon applying for a job, certain employers may examine your driving record during the background check. For example, you may be passed on for a position as a commercial vehicle driver. And if this is where your previous work experience lies, you may have to make a career pivot.
Lastly, upon applying for a professional license renewal, certain boards may examine your driving record during the background check. As an example, if you are a medical professional, a medical board may suspend your medical license. Then, to practice medicine in the state of New Jersey once again, you may have to pay certain fines, attend certain courses, and more.
Unfortunately, not much good can come from having a DWI offense on your driving record. So, at the end of the day, if you require immediate legal representation, look no further than one of the skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorneys. Someone at McNerney & McAuliffe will be happy to serve you.
