The arrival of Thanksgiving is typically the kickoff to the holiday season. This often means family gatherings, get-togethers with friends, and holiday parties. These events are also a popular time to drink. The number of drunk driving arrests and accidents spike this time of the year. Any driver who has been arrested for drunk driving faces harsh consequences if convicted, but those consequences are even more significant for a professional license holder.
DUI Penalties
In Illinois, any driver operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is legally considered driving under the influence. A first DUI offense is charged as a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, the driver will lose their driving privileges for one year. They also face fines, court fees, and other expenses.
There are certain circumstances where a first-offense DUI can result in an aggravated DUI charge, including causing a crash that results in great bodily injury to others. An aggravated DUI is charged as a Class 2 felony. Not only will a conviction result in an extended driver’s license suspension, but there is also the possibility of a three- to seven-year prison sentence.
Defending a Professional License After a DUI Arrest
While there are many issues that a DUI conviction can cause a driver, most people do not have to worry the conviction will interfere with their job unless that job involves driving. That is not the case for a driver who holds a medical, nursing, or other type of healthcare license.
If a medical professional is facing drunk driving charges, the Illinois board that oversees their license will take likely take some form of action. In fact, the professional license boards that fall under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) take drunk driving so seriously that medical professionals are required to report to the overseeing board that they have been arrested right away, well before they know if they will be convicted or not. If the professional does not notify the board, they could have their professional license suspended, regardless of the outcome of the criminal case against them.
Contact an Illinois Professional License Defense Lawyer
If you find yourself facing DUI charges this holiday season, do not delay in contacting a Chicago medical license defense attorney. While your criminal defense attorney will be addressing the criminal charges, you need a seasoned professional who is experiended in professional license defense cases. Call Williams & Nickl, LLC at 312-335-9470 to schedule a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.ilsos.gov/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf
