Will A Doctor Lose Their License If Convicted Of Drunk Driving In Florida?
DUIs are among the most common criminal charges filed in our state. Indeed, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) estimates that nearly 45,000 motorists were arrested and charged with a DUI offense in 2022 alone. Facing a DUI charge is stressful for any person—though it can be especially unnerving for a doctor. Will you lose your medical license for a DUI? The short answer is that “it depends”—though some form of disciplinary action from the Florida Medical Board is certainly possible. Here, our Orlando DUI defense lawyer explains the key things physicians in Florida should know about their professional license if they are arrested for drunk driving.
A Drunk Driving Charge is Usually a Misdemeanor—But Can Be a Felony
As a starting point, it is important to understand that a DUI charge is no small matter. It is a serious criminal offense. For the most part, DUIs in Florida are misdemeanor offenses. That being said, all DUIs still carry the risk of serious criminal consequences, including the suspension of a driver’s license, significant fines, and even jail time. Beyond that, a DUI can escalate to a felony under certain conditions—such as if an accident occurs and a person is seriously hurt. When a doctor faces a DUI charge, it is vital to understand the severity of the charge. Never assume a misdemeanor is no big deal. The charge can still have serious consequences.
A Criminal Charge Can Lead to Professional Sanctions for a Doctor
Any person charged with a DUI in Florida needs to worry about the criminal penalties. For licensed physicians who are actively practicing medicine, there are professional issues that need to be addressed and considered as well. In Florida, medical professionals are held to high ethical standards. Being charged with a crime like DUI can trigger an investigation by the Florida Board of Medicine. Here is the key thing to know:
- The Florida Board of Medicine oversees doctors and it can impose penalties if they find that a doctor’s behavior goes against these standards.
To be clear, the consequences of a DUI arrest can vary. In some cases, a doctor may receive a professional warning. In other cases, they may be fined or required to undergo a mandatory alcohol treatment program. In the most serious of cases, a doctor could have the medical license suspended or they could even have it revoked outright. With this in mind, doctors need to defend a DUI charge with careful consideration to their professional license.
Contact Our Orlando, FL DUI Defense Attorney for Doctors Today
At The Baez Law Firm, our Orlando DUI defense lawyer is an aggressive, future-focused advocate for defendants. If you have any questions or concerns about a DUI charge and your medical license, we are here as a legal resource. Give us a phone call now or connect with us online to arrange your strictly private, no obligation initial case review. With a law office in Orlando, we defend doctors and other medical professionals in criminal cases throughout Central Florida.
