Trade jobs are some of the most difficult types of careers to get into. Whether you’re an electrician, plumber, carpenter or even a mechanic, the work can be tedious, thankless and grueling.
It might be tempting to resort to illicit substances to help cope with the mental stress of a trade job, but it’s not worth the effort, especially if you could get into trouble with the law.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s recreational cannabis, a couple of pills a friend handed you or something harder you never planned on messing with. One drug charge in Indiana is all it takes for the system to change your life for the worse.
Trade jobs won’t wait for your case to resolve
In this field, no one’s waiting for the facts. If you tell your boss you got arrested, you might lose your trade job before you turn up in court. If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), one offense can cost you your license for a year. And just like that, you’re out of work.
And don’t expect the union to have your back automatically. Did you miss a meeting or fail a test while your case is still pending? A clean record won’t necessarily protect you from suspension.
But it’s not all bad news. Indiana does give first-time offenders some legal second chances.
Second chances through the Indiana legal system
If this is your first offense, Indiana gives you some legal options to help keep your record clean. However, you’ve got to ask for them, and you’ve got to prove that you’re serious about turning things around.
You could try to:
- Enroll in pretrial diversion programs: Some counties offer this option. You’ll need to stay out of trouble, go through a wellness plan and complete community service. If you comply with the program, the local court could potentially drop the charge. These programs are for first time or low level offenders. Failing to meet the program’s requirements could send your case back for prosecution.
- Serve probation: A judge might let you serve probation, but that means regular check-ins and strict rules. One mistake could land you back in court with a worse outcome.
- Seek expungement: Expungement is the legal process of sealing your criminal record to limit its access to entities other than law enforcement. Note that while this could help make your record appear clean to employers, your offenses will still be known to officers. However, it also takes a lot of time and can cost a lot of money.
None of these options are easy. You may need the help of a legal professional who can explain your options and, if it comes to it, fight for your rights in court.
Your job is on the line; act smart
The use of illegal drugs is prohibited in Indiana, as it is in other U.S. states. If you’re involved in a trade, taking substances will jeopardize your career. So, before you take any uppers or other stimulants, consider what would happen to your hard-earned credentials if you are charged for substance abuse.