Charged With a DUI? Your Professional License Might Be At Risk

MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL LICENSE LAWYER

For those who hold a professional license, everyone from real estate agents to doctors, having a few drinks on the job is something they can’t even fathom, no matter their profession. However, many who hold a professional license have indulged in a few after work drinks and may have even gotten behind the wheel. Sometimes they drive home without incident, but other times they may not be so lucky when Minnesota law enforcement is out in diligent force. However, the unfortunate reality is that if you are arrested for a DUI even during after work hours, it can still put your professional license in jeopardy.

HOW A DUI AFFECTS PROFESSIONAL LICENSES IN MINNESOTA

In all 50 states, if you get behind the wheel with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or above, you will be arrested and charged with a DUI. However, the state law and its law enforcement in Minnesota cannot dictate the status of your professional license based on a DUI. The issue is that the board that issues those licenses can. While every licensing board is different with different requirements, you will find that they all share a similarity of frowning upon a DUI conviction.

Not only will you have to face the criminal and civil punishments of a DUI conviction, but you also need to be ready to handle any repercussions that occur to your license. With a DUI conviction on your record, you should expect the probation of your license even if it was a first-time misdemeanor level DUI conviction. However, if you have had multiple DUI arrests and convictions or your DUI has been raised to a felony, you may want to brace for the worst case scenario loss of license.

If you are a medical professional, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice takes driving under the influence as seriously as you would expect. You are responsible for saving lives, and thus if there is even the possibility of an alcohol problem, they will take action. If you have been convicted, you may be slapped with a restricted license that limits your scope of practice. Furthermore, they may request you work under the supervision of a colleague or engage in an alcohol treatment program.

If you are a licensed non-medical professional, you may not face immediate punishments, but the conviction will likely be an issue when it comes time to renew your license later. If you are a teacher or a real estate agent, your licensing board in Minnesota will examine the conviction, how much time has passed after it without issue, and any steps taken to rectify it. While medical professionals may be ordered to undergo an alcohol program, if you choose to do so voluntarily as a non-medical license holder or choose other programs like community service, it will look better to a licensing board when it comes time to renew.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DUI ARREST?

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Minnesota and are concerned with not only the criminal penalties, but the effect on your professional license, there is only one thing to do – fight it! While a DUI arrest looks bad, you are innocent until proven guilty. So thus, if there is no DUI conviction, there is no guilt and therefore no reason for it to affect your professional license.

If you have been arrested for a DUI in Minnesota and need help, contact us today. Not only can the professionals at the Speas Law Firm help you fight your DUI arrest, but we can also help you defend your professional license from any potential repercussions. Let us fight for you to make sure a DUI in Minnesota doesn’t ruin your life like it has with so many others.