Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious crime across the United States. A DUI will appear on all background checks in Tennessee, making certain employment or housing opportunities more difficult to lock down. If you are facing intoxicated driving charges you must work with an experienced Memphis DUI defense lawyer for a chance to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
What Shows Up on TN Background Checks?
A lot of information will be presented when someone uses your social security number to perform a background check. It will bring forth information about your entire life including the following.
- Verification of your identity
- Driving record
- Criminal history
- Driver’s license status
- Credit reports
- Education
- Employment history
- Sex offender registry information
Extensive information about your criminal history will come up on a background check. This can include information about your arrests, charges, convictions, acquittals, pending cases, and more.
An important note is that Tennessee, along with many other states, has adopted “ban the box” laws that prohibit employers from inquiring about a job candidate’s criminal history before offering them the role. Once a conditional offer has been made based on the applicant’s qualifications and attributes alone, the employer may request a background check or ask about prior convictions. This law allows former convicts to be evaluated based on who they are now and their abilities rather than face the stigma and prejudice of being reduced to their past.
How Long Will a DUI Remain on My Record?
According to Tennesse law, DUI convictions will remain on a person’s criminal record for the rest of their life. They are not eligible to be expunged and therefore are a permanent fixture on your criminal record and any background check you undergo.
Because your DUI will never be erased from your record it can impact your daily life and make it harder for you to accomplish some things. While it is true that new laws have been enacted in the past few years to help people with convictions overcome certain obstacles, getting a DUI can still affect your life in the following ways.
- You may lose out on employment opportunities. Certain jobs like teachers, doctors, nurses, law enforcement, military, or drivers of any kind may require applicants to have no previous DUIs.
- Colleges and universities will also inquire about criminal history and perform background checks. Having a conviction of a drug/alcohol crime can deter them from accepting you as many students live on campus.
- You will also face increased insurance prices and surcharges for years after being convicted of a DUI.
- You may have a harder time securing housing as landlords may select applicants with no criminal history over those with prior convictions.
An arrest or dismissed charge may be expunged under certain circumstances. However, if you were convicted there is no chance of wiping the slate clean. Fair chance laws have been enacted to prevent discrimination against people with criminal convictions and allow them to secure employment and housing. For more information and assistance contact an experienced attorney.
