Charges for driving under the influence (DUI) can impact your medical license in California. A drunk driving arrest will not always result in the loss of your license, but you need to handle these charges carefully because they can have dire results for your career in some cases.
Fortunately, a Los Angeles DUI lawyer can explain DUIs and medical licenses in California and help you handle these charges. You can learn more today.
Can a DUI Impact Your California Medical License?
A conviction for drunk driving can impact any professional license you have in California, including a medical license. Even a first conviction can affect your medical license. You can face these impacts even if the court does not convict you.
Keep in mind that the California Business and Professions Code requires many medical professionals to self-report DUI charges. You may need to report any felony DUI charges (regardless of a conviction) and any misdemeanor convictions.
The board expects these reports from:
- Physicians
- Physicians assistants
- Surgeons
- Podiatrists
- Osteopaths
You have 30 days to self-report from the date the prosecution charges you (for felony DUIs) or the date of your conviction (for misdemeanor DUIs). You can face additional penalties, including a fine of $5,000, if you do not self-report.
However, you do not have to go through the self-reporting process alone. You can review the steps you need to take and discuss how to handle DUIs and medical licenses in California with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer.
Additionally, in many cases, the prosecution reports charges to the California Division of Medical Quality. Therefore, it is unlikely that you can avoid having news of an arrest or conviction impact your career.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
How Does a DUI Affect Your California Medical License?
A DUI conviction (or a felony accusation) can result in discipline from the medical board in California and could result in the suspension or revocation of your medical license. In many situations, the board will conduct an administrative investigation before making a decision.
Depending on the findings of the administrative investigation, the board may decide to:
Issue an Interim Suspension Order
An Interim Suspension Order gives the medical board the chance to stop a doctor from practicing medicine while the board takes time to make a final decision.
File a Citation
The board can file a citation (or sanction) against a physician charged with or convicted of a DUI. You generally have to pay a fine if the board sanctions you in this way.
File an Accusation
The board will sometimes file an accusation that lists all charges a physician faces. The accusation will begin an official process that could result in the suspension or revocation of your medical license.
Issue an Investigative Subpoena
The board could decide to issue a subpoena. This subpoena will generally request that the physician appear before the board to submit to an interview. It could also request documents or information about the DUI charges.
Issue a Public Letter of Reprimand
The board can put you on a type of probation with a Public Letter of Reprimand. While on probation, you may have to take classes or go through training that relates to your DUI charges.
Take No Action
The board could also choose to review the situation and close the file without doing anything to your medical license, especially if you have help from a lawyer to handle these allegations.
You may experience other outcomes when dealing with the board as well. Your attorney can provide more information about the specifics of your situation.
Will You Lose Your Medical License After a DUI in California?
You may lose your medical license if the court convicts you of drunk driving in California. However, you can take steps to avoid this outcome by getting professional legal help after your arrest.
Generally, the medical board will assess the charges you face and decide if it needs to take disciplinary action. When making this decision, the board will consider multiple factors around the arrest.
For example, the board may base its decision on:
- Whether or not you have past DUIs
- How long ago you last faced a DUI charge
- Your blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the arrest
- Whether or not you caused a DUI accident and injuries
- The amount of property damage caused in a DUI accident
- Your enrollment in DUI school or an alcohol treatment program
- A history of past disciplinary actions
An attorney can explain what to expect when dealing with the medical board as they assist with your criminal charges. You can take steps to protect your career by getting immediate legal assistance.
Talk to Us About Protecting Your Medical License After a DUI
Do you have more questions about DUIs and medical licenses in California? Our team at the Simmrin Law Group can provide the answers you need and assist with your defense. We take DUI charges seriously and have helped many clients over decades of legal practice.
We are ready to handle any case in any court in California or any federal court throughout the United States. You can reach out to us now to discuss the steps you should take after an arrest.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form