A criminal arrest can upend your life. If you hold a professional license in Illinois, it can threaten your career as well.
Imagine driving home after a few drinks at a work event and seeing blue lights flash in your rearview mirror. What may seem like an isolated mistake can put your professional license at risk of suspension or revocation by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
Understanding which crimes jeopardize your license and what you must do if arrested is critical for any Illinois license holder.
[Related: Your Illinois Medical License and Your Criminal Record]
What Are Crimes of Moral Turpitude?
Illinois law does not provide a precise definition of crimes of moral turpitude, but the courts have developed a working standard.
Generally, a crime of moral turpitude is one that is contrary to society’s moral norms, that goes against the duty owed to others, and that a reasonable person would find vile or offensive. It is a crime that puts an individual’s judgment, morals, character and ethics in question.
The USCIS policy manual offers a useful federal framework for understanding how courts and licensing boards evaluate moral turpitude.
Common examples of crimes of moral turpitude include the following:
- Assault
- Certain white-collar crimes
- Child abuse
- Domestic violence
- Driving under the influence
- Drug crimes
- Sexual offenses
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Courts and licensing boards assess each charge individually based on the facts and circumstances involved.
[Related: Does an Illinois Physician Have to Submit to Questioning by an IDFPR Investigator?]
How a Criminal Conviction Can Affect Your Illinois Professional License
Generally, a professional license holder will only face license action for felony convictions. However, a misdemeanor conviction for a crime of moral turpitude can also trigger suspension or revocation of your Illinois professional license.
Drunk driving is a prime example.
A DUI may constitute a crime of moral turpitude depending on the circumstances, particularly if aggravating factors are present, such as drug involvement, injury or prior convictions. Whether your specific charge qualifies isn’t always clear-cut, which is why consulting an attorney immediately after an arrest is critical.
Professional license holders face professional license suspension if convicted.
The consequences extend beyond the criminal case itself. Even if the court reduces or eventually drops charges, the arrest and the process of defending your license before the IDFPR can be lengthy and damaging.
[Related: Actions To Avoid if Your Professional License Is Under Investigation]
Self-Reporting Requirements for Illinois Professional License Holders
In Illinois, any professional license holder arrested for a crime of moral turpitude must report that arrest to the board overseeing their license. This is not optional, and timing matters.
Report the arrest promptly. Do not wait to see whether the court will drop charges.
Self-reporting, rather than having the board learn of the arrest from a third party, can make a meaningful difference when it comes to defending your license.
[Related: Illinois Physicians: What You Must Report to the IDFPR After an Arrest]
Contact Williams & Nickl for Professional License Defense
If you have been arrested for a crime that could affect your Illinois professional license, do not delay. The sooner our attorneys at Williams & Nickl can begin working on your case, the better your chances of a positive outcome.
Contact us online or call 312-335-9470 for a free, confidential 1-hour consultation.
Review our case results and testimonials to discover how we’ve helped Illinois professionals defend their licenses before the IDFPR.