Addressing a DUI Conviction with Potential Employers

 Posted on June 25, 2025 in DUI

A DUI conviction can feel like a major setback, especially when you are applying for a new job. It can be extremely stressful to worry about whether you should tell a prospective employer about your DUI conviction or let them find out on their own while hoping they do not. Are there ways to explain a DUI conviction without ruining your chances at an incredible job opportunity? What if you have been charged but not yet convicted?

There are ways to handle this difficult conversation that can potentially change the outcome. With the right approach, you can be honest with a prospective employer without being defined by one mistake. If you are currently facing DUI charges, an experienced Joliet, IL DUI attorney will work hard on your behalf to keep a DUI conviction off your record.

Is DUI Disclosure Always Legally Required?

Illinois statute 625 ILCS 5/11-501 governs DUI charges in the state, but disclosure of that information has many gray areas. Most job applications ask whether an applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense, although some specify a felony criminal offense. If you have only been charged, then you are not required to disclose this information.

While a job applicant can choose not to disclose a DUI conviction on a job application, virtually all employers now run background checks, which will reveal the conviction. Certain employers will be more sensitive regarding a DUI than others, such as jobs involving driving or children. Unfortunately, expungement of a DUI in Illinois is no longer an option, leaving you to deal with the fallout from the DUI conviction for a very long time.

Timing and Context: When to Bring Up Your DUI

If a job application specifically asks whether you have a criminal conviction but only gives a space for "yes" or "no," you can write "see attached" in the area. If you have completed a rehabilitation program or any other type of corrective action, mention this on your explanation sheet to show you have taken responsibility and made any necessary changes. If possible, briefly explain the circumstances that led to your conviction.   

Keep this explanation short and positive. While some states protect job applicants from discrimination based on a criminal history, in Illinois, a prospective employer may not discriminate based on an arrest record but can consider a conviction. Provide references who can speak to your character since the DUI charge.  

If you are bringing up the DUI during a job interview, the way you explain it can make the difference between being hired and not being hired.  Try to be honest about the DUI without going into too much detail. Acknowledge the conviction, explain that it was a mistake you regret and have taken steps to recover from, emphasizing what you learned from the mistake.

Avoid making excuses or blaming others. Focus on how your DUI conviction led to positive changes and reassure the prospective employer that the DUI will not affect your job performance. Emphasize that you will conduct your job duties professionally and responsibly.

Once you have made your explanation, move forward with the interview by discussing your qualifications and skills for the job and what you can contribute to the company. Your goal is to convince the prospective employer that your one-time mistake does not define you while expressing the many ways you are the best candidate for the job.   

Contact a Will County, IL DUI Lawyer

If you are facing DUI charges in Illinois, a knowledgeable Joliet, IL DUI attorney from McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC can be an invaluable resource while building a strong defense on your behalf. We are a mid-sized, results-driven law firm with extensive experience in various fields. A plea deal could potentially lower your charges, or your attorney could achieve a not-guilty verdict at trial. In either of these cases, your worry about future job prospects would be considerably lessened. To schedule your free consultation, call 815-727-0100.