Valdosta Georgia Criminal Defense Blog

Many individuals know that a potential employer can obtain access to your criminal record through a background check before hiring you. These employers simply want to ensure that a possible employee has a record that would indicate their honest intention of applying for a job, and it also works as a character reference when looking at past drug convictions.

Yet many individuals do not know that in Georgia, other entities aside from potential employers can gain access to your criminal background history. It is essential to contact an attorney immediately upon receiving an alleged drug charge, as your future could prove affected by more than missing out on a job opportunity.

During your drive home late at night in Valdosta, you find yourself pulled over by the cops. They inform you that they suspect you of driving under the influence (DUI). After a bit, they will likely ask you to take a breathalyzer test to confirm your blood alcohol content (BAC), which determines if you are driving above the legal limit.

If the test determines your BAC to be too high, you could be facing numerous consequences in your personal and professional life. Once the prosecution gets those numbers, they have ammo for their argument from something that may not be completely accurate. You have the right to refuse a breathalyzer test in Georgia to potentially avoid penalties that damage your career, but you should know the extent of your ability to avoid the test and what can happen as a result.

Drug convictions change the course of your life forever. Upon entering college and being out of the parent’s home, many experiment with drugs and alcohol for the first time. One of many devastating impacts resulting from a drug conviction is losing eligibility for student financial aid and scholarships. 

If you are attending college and receive federal student aid, a drug conviction renders you ineligible for loans, Pell grants and work study. Even worse, you may have to pay back financial aid you received. However, reinstatement is possible following successful completion of a drug treatment program.