Chances of employment with District Attorney w/ a DUI Forum

[Anonymous User]

Current 1L here w/ interest in criminal law. Does anyone have any insight as to whether or not a past DUI and a separate alcohol charge will be impediments to obtaining internships/post-grad employment with the DA? Both incidents happened over ten years ago.

Thanks.

[lovelaw27]

What are your convictions? Was it a felony or misdemeanor?

[Anonymous User]

Current 1L here w/ interest in criminal law. Does anyone have any insight as to whether or not a past DUI and a separate alcohol charge will be impediments to obtaining internships/post-grad employment with the DA? Both incidents happened over ten years ago.

Thanks.

I worked at a state attorney's office this summer with pretty much the same charges, plus additional arrests where charges were dropped and more recently. They didn't seem to care.

though, i'm not sure if internships are different than post-grad employment.

[Lord Randolph McDuff]

I would be sure to have a few decent back-up plans. This will hurt you. Good part about the field is that mass-mailing never leads to anything, because if people read about your conviction and didn't know you.. auto ding. Maybe the actual office you intern with will hire you.

[Anonymous User]

What are your convictions? Was it a felony or misdemeanor?

It definitely wasn't a felony. The charges were:

1. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled substance: (M2) PA Vehicle Code 3731(a), and
2. Purchase, Consumption, Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages: (Summary) PA Crimes Code 6308(a)

The second charge was for being under 21 at the time. I pled guilty and received ARD, but that isn't even relevant b/c I would still obviously disclose this on a job application. I guess what I'm really asking is if a DUI would automatically preclude me from ever working as an ADA and/or DA.

[Anonymous User]

What are your convictions? Was it a felony or misdemeanor?

It definitely wasn't a felony. The charges were:

1. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled substance: (M2) PA Vehicle Code 3731(a), and
2. Purchase, Consumption, Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages: (Summary) PA Crimes Code 6308(a)

The second charge was for being under 21 at the time. I pled guilty and received ARD, but that isn't even relevant b/c I would still obviously disclose this on a job application. I guess what I'm really asking is if a DUI would automatically preclude me from ever working as an ADA and/or DA.

Depends on the office. It may preclude you from some offices but not all.

[kalvano]

It will be an auto-ding at some places. Others may be more willing to overlook it.

[Anonymous User]

What are your convictions? Was it a felony or misdemeanor?

It definitely wasn't a felony. The charges were:

1. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled substance: (M2) PA Vehicle Code 3731(a), and
2. Purchase, Consumption, Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages: (Summary) PA Crimes Code 6308(a)

The second charge was for being under 21 at the time. I pled guilty and received ARD, but that isn't even relevant b/c I would still obviously disclose this on a job application. I guess what I'm really asking is if a DUI would automatically preclude me from ever working as an ADA and/or DA.

Depends on the office. It may preclude you from some offices but not all.

I see. Do I talk to the office about their policies before applying? I'd hate for my immediate contact to put up a red flag, but would hate wasting my time even more.

[Anonymous User]

What are your convictions? Was it a felony or misdemeanor?

It definitely wasn't a felony. The charges were:

1. Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled substance: (M2) PA Vehicle Code 3731(a), and
2. Purchase, Consumption, Possession or Transportation of Liquor or Malt or Brewed Beverages: (Summary) PA Crimes Code 6308(a)

The second charge was for being under 21 at the time. I pled guilty and received ARD, but that isn't even relevant b/c I would still obviously disclose this on a job application. I guess what I'm really asking is if a DUI would automatically preclude me from ever working as an ADA and/or DA.

Depends on the office. It may preclude you from some offices but not all.

I see. Do I talk to the office about their policies before applying? I'd hate for my immediate contact to put up a red flag, but would hate wasting my time even more.

I think it'd be worth contacting them. You could probably do it over the phone and stay anonymous too.