Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime, even as a first offense. It only takes one moment of poor judgment to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol and potentially hinder your professional practice for years to come.
Lawyers, physicians, teachers and any other professional entrusted with sensitive matters by those they serve can face dire consequences in their career as a result of a DWI charge. By better understanding these consequences, you can make better decisions when it comes to planning your defense against the charges against you.
Clients may lose faith in your business
Minnesota criminal history records are publically accessible, and easily searchable using resources provided by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Prudent clients will research their options thoroughly before investing their time and money, meaning they are likely to find records of your DWI arrest. This can paint a potential customer’s view of you as being reckless or unprofessional, and they may decide to instead put their faith in one of your competitors with a more blemish-free background.
You may lose your professional license
The licensing board that issues your professional license may decide to take disciplinary action against you after incurring a criminal charge. In the case of a felony DWI, it can be especially likely that the board will choose to suspend or revoke your license entirely. Though you may have a chance to plead your case at a board hearing, the process and its aftermath can bring your practice to a halt.
DWI charges can have various effects on your professional practice depending on the severity of the crime. A worst-case scenario entails the indefinite revocation of your license, so it is important to build the best defense you can to present in court.