A Florida DUI arrest is always a stressful event, and if you are a professional charged with DUI in Duval County or the surrounding area you may feel especially worried that your livelihood is threatened. A Jacksonville DUI conviction could mean a variety of repercussions on your career – up to and including termination. If your future is at stake due to a Florida DUI arrest don’t face the court alone. Help protect your livelihood and contact a dedicated DUI for Professionals attorney today.
Bill Roelke of Roelke Law is an experienced Florida DUI lawyer who will fight to reduce or eliminate the effect of a DUI charge on your career. A former judicial clerk and research scientist, Roelke will use every judicial process available, as well as his scientific knowledge of chemical testing to weaken the prosecution’s case against you and get your case reduced or dismissed in order to protect your career. In addition, he will work with your employer to make sure you are treated fairly and in accordance to applicable rules and/or laws. If you’ve been charged with DUI in Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Saint Augustine, Atlantic Beach, Orange Park, or any of the surrounding areas, call Bill Roelke at (904) 354-0333 or send an online message to fight for you and your future today.
In addition to facing criminal charges for DUI in Jacksonville courts, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals licensed by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) face an assortment of fines, suspension, termination, and even license termination. Depending on the license and the offense, the doctor, nurse, or other health professional will be required to self-report either upon being charged or convicted – no matter the plea. The resulting consequences imposed by the DOH could be detrimental to your career.
Navigating the administrative DOH procedures regarding DUI consequences can be complicated. Cases are evaluated on an individual basis and factors like the amount of danger to the public and whether the health professional subsequently entered an intervention program will be considered. You are entitled to an informal and/or formal hearing to help determine consequences. Under no circumstances should you speak about your DUI charge to coworkers as they will be obligated to report you. Hiring an experienced Jacksonville DUI attorney can help you navigate DOH proceedings and possibly save your future as a healthcare professional.
For public or private school teachers and other certified educators or administrators, a DUI charge comes with both a social and professional stigma. As an educator, parents put their children in your care and are wary of anything that may be considered reckless or irresponsible. The Florida Department of Education knows this and has enlisted its Office of Professional Practices to protect both educators and their wards with specific rules regarding criminal charges, including DUI.
If you are charged with DUI – Drugs, you are required to self-report within 48 hours of your arrest to the appropriate Department of Education authorities determined by your district. For DUI – Alcohol, you are required to self-report any of the following within 48 hours after final judgment:
The information will be used solely for informational purposes and is inadmissible as an admission of guilt. If you wish to protect your license, you have 10 days to send to the Office of Professional Practices any evidence regarding your case for their review and consideration. Hiring a DUI attorney could assist you both with protecting your license criminally and administratively as well as possibly disband any social stigma associated with your DUI arrest.
Because professionals like lawyers, policemen, firefighters, state, or federal workers are usually employed by the government to protect the law, administrative punishments for a DUI charge or conviction in these cases can be particularly harsh. If you serve in any of these professions, you would be well advised to explore all of your options, including hiring an attorney, in fighting the consequences subsequent to a DUI:
Police Officers or Other Law Enforcement Personnel – By signing the required Law Enforcement Officer Ethical Standards of Conduct, you agreed to avoid knowingly committing any misdemeanor (including DUI) while on OR off duty as well as report knowledge of any other officer violating this code of conduct. Violation of this code could result in your immediate suspension, termination, or eventual ineligibility for renewal of your certification.
Firefighters – The certification of a firefighter will be revoked upon a plea of nolo contendre or conviction of a felony DUI charge and can only be reissued upon official pardon, reinstatement of civil rights, or four years after your punishment is satisfied. If a firefighter’s sentence for DUI is suspended or adjudication is withheld, his or her certification will be suspended until probation is complete.
Attorneys – A misdemeanor or felony DUI charge may initiate disciplinary action whether or not the attorney has been tried, acquitted, or convicted in court. Conviction of felony DUI is cause for automatic suspension. Additionally, disciplinary action may include probation, suspension, or disbarment as the Florida Bar sees fit for your case.
State Employees – Upon conviction of any DUI charge, a Florida State Employee may face penalties including dismissal, suspension, demotion, salary reduction, forfeiture of up to a third of salary for up to a year, a fine up to $10,000, payment of restitution to the agency of employment, public censure, reprimand, and forfeiture of public retirement system benefits.
Federal Employees – Since federal employees are sworn to uphold both the U.S. constitution and the laws of any government in the states, a DUI conviction can be used as cause to dismiss an employee and/or revoke his or her pension.
If you are a Florida professional and have been arrested for any DUI offense, contact Bill Roelke today to discuss any strategies or defenses that may be available for your case. Roelke can help you deal with both the criminal DUI charge and any administrative consequences you face with employment and licensing. The team at Roelke Law will make sure your employer treats you fairly and within local law. We will take your professional charged with DUI case in Duval County, St. John’s County, Clay County, and Nassau County. Your first consultation is free, so call us at (904) 354-0333 or by online form today.
