Even A Not Guilty Of DUI Can Harm Your Future

So given my current situation, which some of you may know from my recent posts...I may be up creek without a paddle. I was charged with DUI in 2012 and found NOT GUILTY. However, I still had my license suspended and had to have the interlock because the drivers license hearing was before my actual court date. Anyway at court was found not guilty. Therefore I figured I would be good to go no convictions so on and so forth. How wrong I was. I am quickly finding out that even though I was not guilty, some of the major companies won't even look at me until 5 years after. Then to top things off, called Werner today and talked to them only to find out that I'm going to have to go to a different school because my school isn't on there "list of approved schools." Frustrated is an understatement at this point and not sure where to go next.

Did you have a lawyer at the very start of this? Maybe you didn't have one- they can be expensive.

Doesn't seem right to have a license hearing, then a court date later. That you were punished even though found not guilty in court, Seems like the State's laws/rules are screwed up. Is this in Kansas?

Maybe a lawyer could clean all this up? Maybe if you got a lawyer, in 2 months this is cleaned up, and you can apply for jobs again?

Sounds like there's more to the story.

This was in Kansas and I did have a lawyer. The way Kansas does things is very weird. First they have the license hearing which is approximately 60 days after your charge date. Then they if you hired an attorney then of course you'll have continuances filed until they come up to the trial date if you will. i have thought about hiring an attorney to see about getting this removed after all this.

When pulling my MVR the only thing that is showing up is a "restriction" that has DUI interlock under the restriction tab but as far as violations they weren't any violations. I don't know, I was always under the impression not guilty was not guilty and if that was the case no conviction was made. When I talked to Swift they said it doesn't matter, with that being on my record it's considered the samerhing as a DUI and I will have to wait for awhile.

When pulling my MVR the only thing that is showing up is a "restriction" that has DUI interlock under the restriction tab but as far as violations they weren't any violations. I don't know, I was always under the impression not guilty was not guilty and if that was the case no conviction was made. When I talked to Swift they said it doesn't matter, with that being on my record it's considered the samerhing as a DUI and I will have to wait for awhile.

Bottom line- NOT GUILTY is NOT GUILTY. Not guilty does not mean- Not guilty with interlock restriction on your record.

I know a lawyer is not cheap- but I would keep at it to get the restriction and interlock removed.

Even talk to the Kansas Attorney General; Or see your state representative, and senator.

When pulling my MVR the only thing that is showing up is a "restriction" that has DUI interlock under the restriction tab but as far as violations they weren't any violations. I don't know, I was always under the impression not guilty was not guilty and if that was the case no conviction was made. When I talked to Swift they said it doesn't matter, with that being on my record it's considered the samerhing as a DUI and I will have to wait for awhile.

Bottom line- NOT GUILTY is NOT GUILTY. Not guilty does not mean- Not guilty with interlock restriction on your record.

I know a lawyer is not cheap- but I would keep at it to get the restriction and interlock removed.

Even talk to the Kansas Attorney General; Or see your state representative, and senator.

Ya sounds like I'm going to have to. I just called Swift for ****s and giggles to see what they would say. They basically told me even though I'm not guilty (which I have documentation showing in not) the DOT will look at it as if I was guilty and so will they no exceptions.

Yes Cory, you have to find a way to get that removed. I would exhaust every avenue, from getting an appointment with a judge, contacting the state attorney general, hiring a lawyer.. whatever it takes because that screwup is directly going to affect your livelyhood.

I wish you the best and please let us know how it's progressing. I really want to see you get a good start and drive for a nice company.

Yes Cory, you have to find a way to get that removed. I would exhaust every avenue, from getting an appointment with a judge, contacting the state attorney general, hiring a lawyer.. whatever it takes because that screwup is directly going to affect your livelyhood.

I wish you the best and please let us know how it's progressing. I really want to see you get a good start and drive for a nice company.

I appreciate it Sue. I'm planning on talking to an attorney tomorrow and seeing what my options are. In the mean time I still have a few options that I'm working with as far as companies which would include TransAm, Keim TS, and now I'm looking into U.S. Express. Hoping for the best!

Maybe I am misunderstanding the situation, but did you refuse to submit to a BAC test at any point?

Maybe I am misunderstanding the situation, but did you refuse to submit to a BAC test at any point?

Nope, I fully cooperated and submitted to the BAC test. I went and talked to my attorney today and from what I am gathering from him, the state of Kansas has changed the laws around so that even though I was found guilty, it is not an option to have this removed from my MVR at any point in my life. So therefore, this "not guilty" verdict has and will be treated as a DUI anyway. I have been turned down by 18 trucking companies thus far. The only 2 that haven't denied me because of the DUI was TransAm and Werner. The only reason I can't get on with them right now is one I am still in school and two my school is not acceptable to their standards. At this point in time, I am kind of tired of rejections and am thinking about just living with my current situation for the time being. I am already 3 years and 4 months since my charge happened so really not that much longer until the actual 5 year mark hits that will allow me to have a chance with some of these bigger companies. Yes, it sucks tremendously and I am extremely let down, not so much by the companies more so with myself for making such a dumb decision 3 years and 4 months ago. However, at the same time, there is a truck out there with my name on it, I just have to keep searching. I am a very persistent person and I will find a company that will take me. It may be a smaller company but anything is better than nothing at this point.