Those in the Wichita, KS area who drive for a living need to avoid getting convicted of drunk driving. For those who don’t drive for a living, the punishment is already harsh with a driver’s license suspension, fines, community service, and more. However, it is much worse for those who drive for a living. With a drunk driving conviction, the commercial driver may need to find a new career. Commercial drivers are held to a separate stricter standard than other motorists. The punishment for commercial drivers is very harsh. That is why those who drive for a living need to hire a DUI Attorney in Wichita KS such as Rocky Wiechman Law.
First of all, a drunk driving conviction leads to a one year suspension of the commercial driver’s license. It does not matter if the drunk driving took place outside of work in a private car. It doesn’t matter if the DUI was out of state. It is very likely that the commercial driver will get fired. Even if the driver is not fired, the insurance rates for the employer will be much higher if there is a driver with a drunk driving record. That is why it is relatively rare for a driver with a DUI record to maintain employment.
If a commercial driver charged with drunk driving decides to hire a DUI Attorney in Wichita KS, the goal is going to be to get the charges dropped or to get an acquittal. Under current federal law, plea bargaining to a less severe charge such as reckless driving will not work. This type of plea bargaining still counts as a drunk driving conviction with regards to holding a commercial driver’s license. A second conviction will result in a lifetime ban from getting a commercial driver’s license.
For a commercial driver facing a drunk driving charge, a defense attorney may be the last best to maintain a driving career with a commercial driver’s license. Although the legal costs of going to trial are high, the cost of being unemployed and having to find a new career may be even higher. That is why legal counsel is highly recommended for commercial drivers who are facing drunk driving charges and want to save their careers.
