DUI and Employment in Georgia: Protecting Your Career with Prine Law
There is the traffic stop. Then the request to step out. You breathe into the machine, maybe not knowing what it will say. Before long, the words “DUI arrest” are no longer someone else’s story. It is yours. And while the court date might feel like the focus, there is something bigger at stake—your job, your license, your future. At Prine Law Group, based in Macon, we have seen firsthand how a DUI charge does not just follow you to court. It follows you to work.
Do You Have to Tell Your Employer? Maybe. Maybe Not.
Georgia law does not have a universal rule requiring you to tell your boss. But your job might. Contracts, HR manuals, or even unwritten expectations can create gray areas. If you drive a company vehicle, transport clients, or hold a safety-sensitive role, the line between private life and professional conduct gets thin real fast.
And it is not just about drivers. We have worked with teachers, nurses, and bank analysts, people in roles where character matters. If your job leans on trust or public confidence, silence could cause more harm than good. You do not always need to speak up immediately, but ignoring the issue entirely usually comes back around.
Not sure what applies? Ask your lawyer before you say anything to your employer. What you say and when can shape how this plays out.
Licenses and Boards: The Rules Are Stricter There
If you are licensed in Georgia, maybe you are a teacher, real estate broker, pilot, or pharmacist, a DUI charge could trigger more than a court fine. Boards often have their own review processes. Sometimes they act fast. Other times, they wait for the criminal case to finish. But either way, they expect disclosure.
Some possible outcomes we have seen:
- A request for a substance evaluation
- A probationary license period
- Required counseling or ethics coursework
- Temporary suspension, especially if this is not your first offense
For example, Georgia’s nursing board can require drug testing, and the State Bar may review your character and fitness even years later. This is not meant to scare you. But if your license pays your bills, do not assume the board will not hear about the arrest. Be proactive.
CDL Drivers Have Even Less Room for Error
If you drive commercially, the margin for mistakes disappears. The legal BAC limit for CDL holders in Georgia is 0.04%, half the standard for most drivers. And the consequences come fast.
- First offense: CDL disqualification for 1 year (3 years with hazardous materials)
- Second offense: Lifetime disqualification (with rare exceptions)
Even if the incident happened in your personal vehicle, your commercial license can be affected. That is why we challenge everything, from the stop itself to the accuracy of the device used. For CDL holders, defending the license is defending the job.
What About Future Jobs?
Georgia employers run background checks. Some check every applicant. Others do not, but many do. And DUI convictions do not disappear. Georgia does not allow expungement in these cases. If the case ends in a guilty plea or verdict, it stays visible.
Here is where it matters most:
- Public sector jobs, including local government and schools
- Healthcare roles where trust and safety are part of the job
- Positions requiring professional certification or fiduciary duty
You do not need to give up on your career goals. But you may need a legal strategy that protects your record before it is written in ink.
How We Protect Clients After a DUI Arrest
There is no one-size-fits-all defense. But here is what we often examine:
- Was the traffic stop legal under the Fourth Amendment?
- Were the testing devices calibrated and documented properly?
- Was the field sobriety test administered in a fair and accurate manner?
- Can the charge be reduced to something less damaging, like reckless driving?
- Are you eligible for diversion, especially if this is a first offense?
We have seen breath machines flagged for skipped maintenance. We have read reports that contradicted dashcam footage. And we have negotiated outcomes that spared our clients years of career damage.
A Real Example: One Nurse, One Mistake, One Outcome That Did Not End Her Career
A nurse in Bibb County was arrested after a holiday dinner with friends. Her BAC tested at 0.09%, barely above the limit. But the arrest triggered board review, and her hospital placed her on unpaid leave. We filed for a hearing, requested maintenance records on the breathalyzer, and found an expired calibration log. The case was dismissed. She kept her license. She returned to work.
That did not happen because she was lucky. It happened because she acted early.
Do Not Wait. Georgia Moves Fast After a DUI Arrest.
Within 30 days, the state can suspend your driver’s license if you do not request a hearing. Miss that deadline, and even if your case is defensible, your license may still be gone.
We have represented clients from all walks of life, from delivery drivers and teachers to physicians and small business owners. The sooner you call, the more we can protect.
📞 Call (478) 257-6333 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation. At Prine Law Group, we do not just handle DUI defense. We protect careers.
