Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious problem. This crime has the potential to greatly harm the driver and others that he or she may encounter on the road. As such, there are often strict punishments and heavy fines imposed on those who are found guilty of a DWI. Obviously, this charge, especially if it leads to a conviction, can impact your entire life, and it can have even more of a negative impact if you happen to be a business owner.
Bad Reputation
Perhaps one of the worst things about getting a DWI is that not only your personal reputation but also your business reputation can suffer. Many newspapers and websites print information about DWI charges and who received them; sometimes, mugshots are even posted.
If this information gets out around town, the reputation of your business could suffer a lot. Some people may even stop doing business with you as a result of the crime.
Trouble with Transportation
More often than not, if you are convicted of a DWI, you will lose your license for a set period of time. And, unless you live in a city with perfect public transportation, which is rare, you’re going to have a hard time getting to work.
Fortunately, if you own your own business, you don’t have to worry about getting fired. You do, however, have to worry about not being at work to oversee what’s going on and things potentially going off track when you’re not there.
Lost Respect
Owning your own business often means that you have employees working under you. Of course, you want these employees to respect you and listen to you.
If your employees find out about a DWI conviction, however, that respect is likely to go down the drain. Some people who feel strongly about driving under the influence might even quit, which is the last thing you want and need during this stressful point in your life.
Crazy Costs
If you’re convicted of a DWI, you can expect to spend a lot of money. You’ll have to spend money on court costs, any fees you are ordered to pay, and, even when you get your license back, you’ll likely have a much higher auto insurance rate.
All of these things take money away from your business and, if you were already in a bad spot financially, could cause you to go bankrupt and lose everything you’ve worked so hard for.
Diversion Programs
Sometimes, being convicted of a DWI means you’ll have to attend counseling sessions or other diversion programs to ensure you don’t make the same mistake again.
While this might seem like “getting off easy,” it takes valuable time away from your business, which can be very detrimental.
As you can see, a DWI conviction can seriously negatively impact your business. Fortunately, though, if you act quickly, an attorney can help you with your DWI. The first step in getting professional legal help, though, is to contact a lawyer for a consultation about your case.
