When you’re a licensed professional, certain events can affect your career even if they occur outside of work.
Getting a DUI is an embarrassing and expensive ordeal. Even though it feels like a personal mistake, a DUI can trigger significant repercussions with your licensing board. If you’re unsure how to move forward after being charged with driving under the influence, it’s important to understand how your next steps may impact your professional life.
A DUI conviction can trigger professional licensing boards to investigate your fitness to practice your trade. As a professional, your career often rests on the public’s trust. Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, or general contractor, you are expected to uphold certain standards, both in and outside of work. Licensing boards exist not only to ensure that professionals meet these standards but also to protect the public from potential harm.
Your licensing board’s stake in your DWI will depend on your profession’s specific codes of conduct and morality clauses, as well as the extent to which a conviction will interfere with your ability to do your job effectively. The investigation that follows a DWI generally comes down to the board trying to ascertain whether or not you present a risk to the public or your profession.
Each professional licensing board has its own set of ethics and standards, as well as the broad authority to access appropriate disciplinary action. In order to properly defend yourself throughout the investigative process, it’s crucial to understand and address the board’s concerns regarding your professional fitness.
State medical boards often view a DUI conviction as a reflection of impaired judgment or an underlying substance issue. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who work closely with controlled substances will need to demonstrate that they won’t risk public safety by diverting drugs or practicing under the influence.
As scholars and upholders of the law, a criminal conviction reflects poorly on attorneys. DWI can trigger an investigation by the state bar, particularly if other charges are involved or if the individual has multiple offenses. The bar may consider whether the attorney’s conduct reflects poorly on the legal profession and the lawyer’s ability to uphold the law.
State accountancy boards and regulatory bodies for financial advisors take ethical breaches seriously. A DUI may be seen as a sign of poor judgment, particularly in fields that require a high level of integrity when handling clients’ sensitive financial matters.
If your job requires you to operate heavy equipment or do any sort of commercial driving, a DWI will raise concerns about licensees working under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In cases where the DUI results in restrictions on your driver’s license, there can also be practical concerns about your ability to perform those aspects of your job legally.
A DUI conviction can trigger a range of disciplinary actions depending on your profession and the severity of the offense. Common consequences include:
Whether your DUI is the result of an ongoing substance abuse struggle or a regrettable isolated incident, it’s critical that you address it thoughtfully and honestly. Your next steps can mitigate the damage to your professional license.
The best time to involve an attorney is as soon as possible, ideally before any interaction with your professional licensing board.
It’s common to be targeted by lawyers experienced with DWIs after an incident, but be aware that they typically lack a background in professional license defense. Retaining an attorney who is familiar with the regulatory requirements and disciplinary processes of your state’s boards will allow you to make the most informed decisions at all stages of the investigation.
Some licensing boards require that you self-report criminal charges. In general, allowing the board to discover the incident any other way will compound concerns about your character. Work with your lawyer to understand your board’s reporting requirements and comply with them as soon as possible to avoid weakening your position going forward.
Minimizing damage to your career will come down to understanding the board’s concerns and offering evidence that you don’t pose a risk to the public or your profession. Positive character references from colleagues, supervisors, or clients can help demonstrate that the DWI does not reflect your overall professionalism or ability to perform your duties.
If your licensing board opens an investigation, be transparent and cooperative. Retaining an attorney who is experienced with professional license defense can help you stay on top of filing deadlines and procedural requirements so the board is inclined to view your case in a more favorable light.
If substance abuse played a role in your DUI, enrolling in a treatment or rehabilitation program can demonstrate to the board that you are taking steps to address the issue. Even if substance abuse wasn’t a factor, taking a proactive approach to avoid future incidents may be beneficial. Your attorney can recommend classes and programs that will increase the board’s confidence in your ability to represent your profession.
