Earning a professional license takes years of hard work, dedication, and costly education. Whether you work in health care, public service, transportation, or another occupation, your professional license could be in jeopardy if you are convicted of a DUI. Experienced criminal defense lawyers understand that your livelihood may be on the line, so it is critical to find one right away if you have been charged with a DUI. They can provide an aggressive defense that may help you get charges reduced or dismissed, which in turn can eliminate or lessen the impact that a DUI can have on your career and reputation.
Professions that Can Be Impacted By a DUI Conviction
Commercial Vehicle Drivers
If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you can be charged with a DUI if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .04% or higher. The penalties for CDL drivers are stiff – depending on the circumstances, you could lose both your CDL and personal driver’s license for years. If it is your second DUI offense, you may lose your CDL permanently. If you are involved in an accident while under the influence, a car crash injury lawyer can use this information against you in any claims or lawsuits that may arise.
Doctors
Typically, a physician who is convicted of a DUI must appear in front of his/her state’s medical licensing board. In Pennsylvania, if you are charged with or convicted of a DUI, you have 30 days to notify the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. If you fail to report a DUI conviction or the board determines that you are unfit to practice medicine, you can lose your license. Your medical malpractice insurance may also increase.
Dentists
When dentists apply for or renew their dental license, they must report any DUI convictions. The PA State Board of Dentistry reviews each case and determines consequences on a case-by-case basis.
Nurses
In Pennsylvania, licensed RNs, LPNs, CRNPs, LDNs, and CNSs must notify the State Board of Nursing of pending criminal charges and a DUI plea, conviction, or participation in ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition). Failure to disclose a DUI conviction to the Board can result in a loss of your nursing license.
EMTs
Emergency Medical Technicians must report a DUI arrest and/or conviction to the Pennsylvania Department of Health which then has the right to revoke your EMT license. If you are applying for an EMT certification, and have been convicted of DUI within the previous four years, you may not be able to become certified at all.
Pharmacists
The Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy may question your judgment, character, fitness, and ability to serve the public as a licensed pharmacist if you are convicted of a DUI or complete an ARD program due to alcohol and/or drug charges. Although each situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis, if you are convicted of a felony, you may lose your license permanently.
Pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Action Security Division require licensed pilots to report a DUI conviction within 60 days. If you don’t, your pilot’s license can be suspended or revoked.
Other Professionals that Can be Affected by DUI Charges
Police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other public service workers may be disciplined for DUI convictions as well. Each municipality and school system handles these matters in its own way. Attorneys and accountants also run the risk of their professional license being suspended or revoked if they are convicted of a DUI.
Regardless of what you do for a living, if you have been charged with a DUI, it is critical to seek the counsel of an experienced DUI defense attorney who will fight for your rights.
This blog was originally posted on https://pa4law.com/how-a-dui-can-affect-your-professional-license/
