Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger Explains the Effects of a DUI or DWI on Your Career as Medical Professional

In Kansas, it’s called a DUI. In Missouri, it’s called a DWI. Either way, it can spell big problems for your career as a medical professional. I have helped many medical professionals through the licensure and employment issues associated with an arrest for driving while impaired and can help you as well. But too many professionals fail to attain the help of an experienced licensing attorney when they receive a notice of investigation or violation.  This failure ends up making the state’s job far too easy. Because I get so many calls asking about the career effects of a DUI/DWI conviction, I wrote the following blog post to explain the many ramifications.

If you are a professional in Kansas or Missouri facing an investigation that jeopardizes your professional license, call attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a free consultation. Your career, reputation, and livelihood are at risk, and the challenge facing you is one you cannot work your way through this alone.

The Effects of a DUI/DWI

There is no question that a DUI/DWI conviction can have a significant impact on your life. While for some people it is a sign that they have a drinking problem, for others, it signifies a one-time mistake in judgment. Regardless, it has a greater impact on those in the medical field than those in other professions, as medical professionals have a heightened responsibility to appear free from intoxicating substances and often have state licensing boards that look unkindly on any criminal conviction.  Having advised countless medical professionals regarding their recent arrest for DUI/DWI, here are the most common effects:

Professional Licensure Loss, Suspension, or Discipline– A medical professional often has to report an arrest and usually must report a conviction to his or her licensing body. You will want to consult with an experienced licensing attorney before making the report. You want to avoid doing more damage than you have to in making this report, and an experienced attorney that has a relationship with the board can help you frame the issue in a light most favorable to the license holder.

Contractual Requirements—Many medical employers see a DUI/DWI arrest or conviction as a signal of an employee with a substance abuse problem. Many hospitals and clinics require employees to disclose any arrest within a certain amount of time. Again, this is the sort of disclosure you want to make with the help of an experienced licensing attorney. Having worked with many medical professionals on similar issues, a skilled attorney likely knows how to disclose in a way least harmful to your career.  That said, some employers make criminal charges a ground for suspension or even termination, so you will want to review your employee handbook with your attorney as well.

Lack of transportation—While your DUI/DWI is pending, you will likely be prevented from driving for a period, often months. This is an inconvenience and makes getting to and from work difficult. It can also be independent grounds for termination if your position requires a valid driver’s license.

Leave Issues—An arrest for DUI/DWI will likely require your presence at least one or two hearings. If you go to trial to contest your case, you will likely spend another few days in court. If you are convicted, you may have to serve days or weeks in jail depending on the severity of your case. Even if you accept a plea agreement, that too will require a hearing. In the end, you may have to miss several days of work, which your employer may not look upon warmly.

Contact an Experienced Kansas and Missouri Licensing Attorney Now

You have worked too hard to attain your professional license.  Whether it is a medical, counseling, nursing, accounting, veterinary or any other type of license, a DUI/DWI can mean that your livelihood is in jeopardy. Contacting an experienced licensing attorney to help you through this process and can mean the difference between getting back to helping your patients or clients and losing your career forever.

Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger is prepared to advocate for your best interests and defend you. Call Attorney Sanger at 785-979-4353 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney experienced dealing with licensing issues.


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