A therapist may be ineligible to practice in California if they have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). If you work as a therapist and have been charged with a DUI, request legal help. A Los Angeles DUI attorney can learn about your arrest and help you take legal action.
With help from a Los Angeles DUI lawyer, you could raise doubts about your arrest and why you were charged with driving under the influence. Your attorney can gather evidence and build a compelling argument on your behalf. If your lawyer presents a strong case, you could have the charge against you eliminated or reduced.
Can You Be a Therapist with a DUI in California?
You can be a therapist with a DUI in California. However, a DUI conviction can hurt your chances of getting or maintaining a license. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) treats driving under the influence as a serious offense, and therapists could incur myriad consequences if convicted of this crime, such as:
- Probation
- License suspension
- License revocation
A Los Angeles driving under the influence lawyer can provide insights into how DUI penalties differ by state. They can teach you about the immediate and long-term ramifications of a DUI conviction. Following a DUI arrest, your attorney could help you prepare an argument that shows a court that you should not be convicted.
Does a Therapist Have to Disclose if They have been Convicted of a DUI?
You must disclose a DUI conviction if you submit a therapist license application to the BBS. At this point, the board could investigate. The BBS will also require information relating to your conviction, including:
Written Statement
This details the actions that led to your conviction. You are required to submit a written statement relating to each conviction on your criminal record. A Los Angeles driving under the influence attorney can explain the penalties for repeat offenders in California and, if necessary, how to incorporate information about them into your written statements.
Certified Reports and Documents
You must submit a certified copy of an arrest report and certified copies of court documents for your conviction. To retrieve certified criminal records, you must submit a subpoena. Your lawyer can help you file a subpoena and obtain certified criminal offender record information.
Evidence of Rehabilitation
You can share information about rehabilitation or other efforts you have made to minimize the risk of future DUI convictions. This information helps show the board that you are doing everything in your power to move forward from a conviction. It could demonstrate to the board that you should be granted a license.
If you choose not to provide the BBS with this information or do not disclose details about your DUI, the consequences of your actions can be severe. The board could ultimately revoke or suspend your license once it finds out about your DUI. This could lead to loss of employment and legal issues.
What Should a Therapist Do if They have been Charged with a DUI?
Meet with a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles to discuss your charge. They can share DUI strategies and how these could help you avoid a conviction. Your attorney can provide legal tips and recommendations to assist you during this challenging time, such as:
Notify the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
The BBS requests information regarding criminal convictions. If you try to hide your driving under the influence arrest, the board could find out about it independently, and this could compromise your chances of working as a therapist in California. Be transparent, communicate with the BBS about your arrest, and cooperate with the board as it investigates.
Consider Voluntarily Suspending Your Practice
As the BBS reviews your arrest, you may want to shut down your therapy practice temporarily. This allows you to address any ethical concerns from the board. Plus, it shows the board that you are dedicated to doing the right thing as it evaluates your case and determines if license suspension or other punishments are warranted.
Pursue Professional Help
If you are dealing with alcohol use issues, now may be an ideal time to get professional help. This can help you take care of yourself and resolve these issues before they escalate. If you are allowed to practice as a therapist in the future, you will be well-equipped to provide your clients with the care and support they deserve.
Along with these things, share any legal concerns or questions you have with your lawyer. As you cope with the aftermath of a DUI arrest, your attorney serves as your legal advocate and representative. They offer guidance and support throughout your legal proceedings and help you make informed decisions every step of the way.
Let a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer Help You Contest Your Driving Under the Influence Charge
You are worried about how your driving under the influence charge will affect your career as a therapist. As you weigh your options and try to figure out how to deal with this charge, ask for legal advice. A DUI attorney in Los Angeles can explain these options in detail and guide you through the legal process.
Partner with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer who has decades of experience. Together, you and your attorney can dispute a driving under the influence charge that could keep you from working as a therapist in California. Seek legal help from a DUI attorney today.
