While many people may think that a DUI is irrelevant to their professional license, the reality is that a DUI conviction can have long term, unexpected consequences for one’s career and reputation.  Some licenses may be revoked or suspended. Also future professional license applicants may also be ineligible from obtaining a new license.  In many cases, the professional is required to report the conviction to the respective Board or Employer immediately.  Therefore, it is imperative to seek expert legal counsel immediately after the arrest.

The McShane Firm is here, ready to fight for your rights and career.

LICENSED PROFESSIONALS AFFECTED BY A DUI IN PA: 

Lawyers – The conviction must be reported to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PA. If you fail to disclose your conviction, you may face disciplinary action which can vary depending on your record. Also your ability to be insured can be compromised or higher rates can come as a result of a conviction.

Teachers – Pennsylvania State Law requires a standardized form to be completed which indicates whether the school employee has been convicted of certain offenses. DUI is not one of the offenses required to be reported. If drugs were involved in the DUI conviction, or a high BAC or more than one DUI, you may lose your teaching license. Many schools require the disclosure of convictions by employees and on new applications which would make it very difficult to find a new job.  Furthermore, there are many political aspects that can affect your standing as a teacher.  Many times parent groups or political lobbies like MADD start letter writing campaigns to the school board which may force them to take harsh action.

See An Important Lesson for Teachers: A DUI Can Mean Losing Your Teaching Job

Police – A DUI conviction is handled internally within a police officer’s municipality.  Penalties and consequences are based on previous offenses.  Once again there is a lot of politics involved in DUI cases involving police officers which could lead to an officer being suspended or terminated.

Stock Brokers – A stockbroker is required to report any conviction to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority immediately, as failure to do so may result in disqualification. Large brokerage firms typically require reporting a conviction. Also your ability to be insured can be compromised or higher rates can come as a result of a conviction.

Pilots – A pilot is required to report the conviction and any driver’s license suspension to the Federal Aviation Administration and to the Civil Action Security Division within 60 days.  Otherwise, your pilot’s license may be in jeopardy.  Because of liability issues, commercial airlines have been known to fire pilots charged with a DUI.

Commercial Drivers License (CDL) motorists – In addition to any consequences to your personal driver’s license, you will also face a 1-year CDL disqualification regardless of whether the offense was committed in a personal vehicle or in the commercial vehicle. If the DUI offense occurred in the  commercial vehicle, you will face an additional 1-year loss of your CDL, and 3 years if you were transporting hazardous chemicals. A second DUI conviction, will cause your CDL to be banned for life. Participating in the ARD program will not help your CDL which will still be disqualified for one year even with a no loss of license provision on an (a)(1) ARD placement. Normally, the legal BAC limit for those over 21 in their personal vehicle is .08% but for CDL drivers in a commercial truck it is lower — .04%.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AFFECTED BY A DUI IN PA: 

Doctors – A doctor convicted of a DUI can be subjected to a hearing by the Medical Board in which your character and fitness to practice medicine will be evaluated. It is imperative to get an experienced DUI attorney who works with professionals right away. You may need report any criminal charge, or you may lose your license to practice medicine. Also your ability to be insured can be compromised or higher rates can come as a result of a conviction.

Dentists – It is imperative to get an experienced DUI attorney who works with professionals right away. If you are a dentist convicted of a DUI, you are required to report the  conviction on your license renewal application. If you are a first time applicant, you are also required to disclose this information on the initial license application.

Nurses – As a nurse convicted of a DUI, you may be required to report the conviction, plea, or ARD program participation or reciprocal discipline to the PA State Board of Nursing at biennial renewal. It is imperative to get an experienced DUI attorney who works with professionals right away.

EMTs – It is imperative to get an experienced DUI attorney who works with professionals right away. If you have been convicted in the last four years of a DUI, it is unlikely that you will be able to receive EMT certification. If you are currently an EMT facing a DUI  conviction, you may be required to report to the PA Department of Health within 30 days, and will likely be given an automatic license suspension.

Pharmacists – It is imperative to get an experienced DUI attorney who works with professionals right away. Cases are considered individually by the Professional Compliance Office of PA State Board of Pharmacy which requires the reporting of convictions.  You may be referred to the Professional Health Monitoring Programs or Voluntary Recovery Program for an evaluation.

Keep in mind, any DUI or criminal infraction involving illicit drugs or prescription drugs may have additional penalties and will likely be treated even more stringently.

WHAT SHOULD A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL DO?

With your career and future on the line, you need the very best legal representation available.  The first thing to do is get the right information about how these charges will affect you specifically.  At The McShane Firm, we specialized in DUI defense and have experience in helping licensed professionals from every walk of life. Call us now for a free detailed case consultation, 1-866-MCSHANE.

Justin McShane

PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.