Are you wondering whether a DUI may bring your medical ambitions to a halt? If so, this article is for you. If you have a DUI charge, it may have been your first ever brush with the law. You may be wondering if the charge may have affected your career chances forever. Losing your licence is one thing, but damaging your future can be even harder to come to terms with. So can you practice medicine with a DUI? Read on to find out.
Reporting your conviction
Medical boards expect you to report any criminal convictions, whether you have a long-established career in medicine or not. This means you could lose your job if you’re training to be a doctor, nurse, or any other role requiring a professional medical licence. Nonetheless, some people have been able to rescue their medical careers after being handed a DUI conviction. You may be able to avoid the worst consequences if you can convince the medical board that the DUI was related to an isolated incident. You may also need to provide evidence that you don’t have a problem with alcohol or substance use, and that the conviction does not mean you are unable to carry out your work to a high standard.
Do you need to speak to a lawyer?
A lawyer can help you fight the charge if you feel it’s unfair, help you file documents correctly, and fight your case to minimize the punishment. If you’re a Virginia resident aged under 21, you may be given a DUI if you have a BAC of over 0.02 as you’ll have illegally consumed alcohol. You could receive up to a year in prison and you may be fined up to $2,500.
Getting tested
If you do need to provide information that you don’t have a problem with alcohol or illegal substances, you may need to be tested by a specialist. If you pass the test, you will be given documentation that shows you’re unlikely to pose a risk. The board may also want to know much more about the circumstances linked to your DUI.
Should I abandon my medical career?
You shouldn’t give up hope completely if you want a career in medicine but have a DUI conviction. Many people have gone on to enjoy lengthy careers in the medical industry after being convicted of a drink-driving offence. Being given a DUI conviction can be tough for anyone working in any profession, but it can be even more challenging when you’re based in the medical world or hoping to enter it. DUI convictions can result in jail time, community service, loss of licence, and court fees.
Reporting deadlines
You will normally have just 30 days to report your conviction, though some people need to report their DUI within 15 days depending on their licence. It’s common for medical professionals to seek out legal advice after receiving a DUI conviction. A legal expert can provide you with in-depth advice on what steps to take to protect your career after falling foul of the law. If you do get a DUI conviction, it’s worth doing all you can to avoid receiving another. This is because the penalties for subsequent convictions tend to be much tougher.