Free Consultation:
610-436-1410
Free Consultation:
610-436-1410West Chester
Those who rely on a professional license have a lot at stake when arrested for driving under the influence in Chester County. In addition to the financial penalties and possibility of jail time, they also risk of losing their careers and everything they worked to build. The administrative and criminal penalties for licensed professionals, like doctors, nurses, lawyers, and others should make it clear that you need an experienced Chester County DUI attorney to deal with your situation correctly.
If you’re charged with a DUI in Chester County, PA or the surrounding area, let Skinner Law Firm review what happened and help protect your career. Attorney Michael Skinner will explain your options and how to best deal with the criminal process as well as your licensing board after a DUI. To schedule a free and confidential case consultation, call Skinner Law Firm at (610) 436-1410 or reach out online.
Medical professionals have a lot to lose if convicted of a DUI. Whether you’re a doctor, dentist, or nurse, you may face consequences ranging from disciplinary hearings to license revocation.
The State Board of Medicine, upon hearing of a doctor’s DUI arrest, typically arrange for a hearing about your ability to practice medicine, given this lapse in judgment. Depending on the circumstances, the doctor may have to practice with supervision or lose certain privileges. Though the penalties for getting a DUI are stiff, hiding a DUI arrest from the Medical Board are worse. Practitioners in this position may lose their license.
Emergency medical technicians must also report DUI convictions the Department of Health. They generally face automatic license suspension. If you’re considering becoming an EMT, you absolutely must avoid a conviction. A DUI in the four years prior to licensure prevents certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Many clients wonder, “Can I be a nurse with a DUI?” or “Can you have a DUI and be a nurse?” Everything is under the control of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Once an RN enters a guilty plea, is convicted, or goes through the ARD program, they have to report it during their license application or when their license is up for renewal.
The Board has full freedom to decide what happens next, whether they require a nurse to practice under certain conditions, avoid certain areas of practice, or stop practicing completely.
It should come as no surprise that commercial drivers often fare the worst after a DUI. Because they drive for a living, CDL holders are penalized even if a DUI happens in their own vehicle.
In most cases, the first time a CDL holder gets a DUI, they lose their license for one full year. If the offense happens when they are in a commercial vehicle, the suspension lasts two years. A three-year suspension typically follows a DUI while transporting hazardous materials.
What if a CDL holder gets more than one DUI? Lifetime revocation of their CDL is likely. The state of Pennsylvania holds commercial drivers to very high standards, and take swift and decisive action against those who do not meet those standards.
While DUI consequences may not be quite as serious for those outside of healthcare and commercial driving, most fields that require licensure still take DUIs seriously. Because of this, it’s important to be aware of your licensing board’s requirements and meet them in a timely manner.
In many professions, failing to report a DUI on time comes with serious consequences.
Those who have to report their DUIs include, but are not limited to:
Depending on your license, you may face DUI consequences just for getting arrested or only after a conviction. Either way, hiring a DUI attorney should be a top priority.
A conviction is undoubtedly worse for your professional career than an arrest, and your attorney can fight aggressively to decrease or drop your charges. This may prevent you from needing to report the incident at all, protecting your professional reputation and limiting the fallout from your arrest.
Without an attorney, no one knows how your DUI will play out. Note that prosecutors are often very aggressive when pursuing DUI cases, so you’re unlikely to secure a positive outcome on your own. Hiring an attorney is the single best way to strengthen your chances.
If you are worried about how your DUI may affect your career, do not wait any longer to get professional legal advice. Contact Skinner Law Firm online or call us at (610) 436-1410 to schedule a free consultation and plan your next step.