People from all kinds of backgrounds might get arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) violations in Pennsylvania. Some young adults and college students get arrested every year. So do licensed professionals in a variety of different fields.
Adults who perform jobs that require professional licenses may worry about what a recent arrest might mean for their licenses. A criminal conviction can sometimes lead to disciplinary hearings and the loss of professional licensing.
Other times, administrative rules may make someone immediately ineligible for certain types of licenses after a DUI conviction. A decision to fight pending criminal charges can potentially help someone preserve their professional license.
Whose professional license might be at risk?
Some people face very serious, potentially career-ending consequences after a DUI conviction. A transportation professional who maintains a commercial driver’s license (CDL) could face ineligibility to continue working professionally.
Even if the DUI arrest occurs while someone is in their personal vehicle, they may face professional consequences. The state can strip someone of their CDL in response to a DUI conviction. A professional may be ineligible for commercial loads for at least a year after a conviction or guilty plea.
Professionals do not need to drive for work for their professional licensing to be at risk. Many state licensing boards in Pennsylvania can take disciplinary action against anyone convicted of a crime while holding a license. Avoiding a conviction is the best way to protect professional licensing.
How a defense helps a licensed professional
A professional who requires state licensing to do their job can avoid disciplinary action altogether if they respond effectively to their criminal charges. Those who successfully fight DUI charges can avoid criminal convictions. Without a conviction, licensing boards usually cannot initiate disciplinary efforts.
If a licensed professional fights their DUI charges but gets convicted anyway, their attempts to fight the charges may benefit them during disciplinary efforts. The same attorney can assist them at disciplinary hearings and advocate for them in front of the relevant licensing board. They may be able to negotiate an arrangement in which a professional can avoid licensing penalties.
Pleading guilty to DUI charges puts someone at risk of more than just criminal penalties. Professionals with state licenses may need to consider how a conviction could affect their eligibility to retain a professional license.
