It doesn’t matter how many years someone has dedicated to their career. It only takes a few minutes for everything to change. An arrest for alleged criminal activity can have major consequences for modern professionals. Those convicted of an offense may miss weeks of work due to incarceration, which could cost them their jobs. Even those who avoid jail time may still suffer major career consequences.
Employers frequently utilize background checks when hiring people or even offering promotions. A conviction on someone’s record will likely have a chilling effect on their career, slowing down their progress. In some cases, a criminal conviction could also lead to the loss of professional licensing or higher costs for an employer to carry necessary insurance.
A single mistake can affect someone’s job prospects and eligibility for professional licensing for many years. Drug offenses are among the most common crimes in Texas, and they are often non-violent criminal issues, so the judicial system treats some of these infractions differently than it does many others. For Texas professionals facing criminal charges related to substance abuse, the Texas adult drug treatment courts could be a means of avoiding long-term professional consequences.
The drug courts can keep someone’s record clean
For many professionals struggling with substance abuse, their focus on their careers will help them avoid criminal charges until their addiction catches up with them. Mounting a criminal defense can be a nerve-racking prospect, as there is never any guarantee of success.
In drug court, however, the entire process aims to help someone succeed. The courts order supervision, counseling, drug testing and other forms of support to help someone achieve and maintain sobriety. The process may involve inpatient rehabilitative support in some cases or extensive outpatient therapy combined with frequent meetings with court-appointed officials.
Drug courts keep people out of state custody
A prison sentence can be traumatizing on its own, in addition to the career consequences it can generate. Thankfully, jail time is not part of the drug court process. When someone successfully completes drug court proceedings, they won’t have to worry about criminal consequences, like a sentence of incarceration.
Asking to attend drug court allows someone accused of a drug offense to move on without a criminal record and hopefully maintain their sobriety as they continue to achieve professional success.