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Professional Licenses and DUI Charges

Obtaining a professional license can take years and hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Most people realize that having a DUI conviction can result in his or hers driver’s license being suspended.

What most do not realize, however, is that professionals can also face having their professional licenses being restricted, suspended, and in the most serious cases, revoked.

Some professions, especially those where employees regularly deal with sensitive information, or have a high risk for abuse, have very high standards of accountability.

Attorney for DUI and Professional Licenses in West Palm Beach, FL

If you or someone you know is a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or some other professional, and you have been charged with a DUI, speak with an experienced DUI attorney.

The lawyers at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. are experienced DUI attorneys who handle license suspensions, DUI charges, and other DUI-related offenses for professionals throughout Palm Beach County, FL, and in the surrounding areas of Broward County and Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Call (561) 557-8686 now for more information about how an experienced DUI attorney could help you retain your professional license in the event of a DUI charge.

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Types of Professions Effected by DUI Charges

Not all professions are treated equally. Having a criminal DUI charges does not affect all professional licenses. In other instances, the professional licensing board will only require full disclosure.

Each profession treats driving under the influence charges differently.

JDs and Attorneys: the legal profession is one of the most unforgiving professions there is. When applying to law school, most law school applications require applicants to disclose any previous disciplinary actions by educational institutions or by law enforcement. Attorneys who are already licensed may face having his or her bar licenses suspended.

Educators:  educators and those individuals seeking to become educators should be aware of the collateral consequences associated with being convicted of a DUI in Florida. Once a case against a teacher or other educator has been opened, he or she will receive a formal notice from the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practice Services regarding the DUI.

Healthcare Professionals: healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses also face serious consequences as a result of a DUI investigation. In some instances, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will request that a healthcare professional surrender his or her controlled substance privileges –this means that the doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will not longer be able to prescribe medication.

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DUI Offenses

In addition to the professional consequences that directly affect an individuals practicing license, the ability to travel to and from will be substantially impaired.

Those subject to DUI charges could face a multitude of punishments based on the number of times he or she has been convicted of DUI charges. Being convicted of driving under the influence in Florida for the first time could result in any of the following consequences:

  • Driver’s License Revocation – first time offenders can have their driver’s license suspended for up to twelve months;
  • Jail – first time offenders could face up to six (6) months in a Florida jail;
  • Vehicle Impounding – Florida law enforcement could impound an offender’s vehicle for up to ten (10) days;
  • DUI School – a convicted offender could be required to complete either Level I or II DUI school;
  • Ignition Interlock Devices – the court will impose an IID if the offender’s BAC was 0.15 or higher or if there was a minor passenger in the vehicle at the time of the offense;
  • Community Service – first time offenders can be subject to up to fifty (50) hours of community service.

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Find a Lawyer for DUI in Palm Beach County, FL

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI in West Palm Beach, Florida, and would like to learn more about having a DUI charge reduced to wet reckless, having adjudication withheld on a charge, or getting the charges completely dropped, then call us and speak with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A..

Our lawyers are dedicated and zealous professionals who have been practicing Florida law for years. With experience fighting DUI crimes in Miami and West Palm Beach, our attorneys have seen courtrooms all across South Florida.

Call (561) 557-8686 for more information about what our attorneys can do for your case.

This article was last updated on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.

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Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance and DUI (Second Offense w/in 5)
The Defendant was charged with Felony Possession of Controlled Substance, punishable by 5 years in prison, and Driving Under the Influence, a second DUI offense within five years of a prior DUI conviction which carries a mandatory jail sentence and a five-year driver’s license revocation. The Defendant’s vehicle was stopped by Officer Malave of the Sunrise Police Department for repeatedly stopping and starting his vehicle near an intersection and for violating a flashing yellow light by stopping and remaining stationary at the intersection. Officer Malave approached the vehicle and made contact with the Defendant. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the Officer noticed that the defendant had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech ; and the Defendant was incapable of formulating complete sentences. The Defendant would nod off in mid-sentence and was completely incoherent at times. After making those observations, Officer Malave, a female called for the assistance of two male officer’s due to the Defendant’s condition and physical size. The male officers loudly ordered the Defendant out of the car on multiple occasions, but the Defendant would not comply. The Officers attempted to forcibly remove the Defendant from the vehicle, but the Defendant resisted those efforts by bracing, pulling and stiffening his body so that the officers could not move him. The Defendant was slammed to the ground, which the officers took as a refusal to perform roadside exercises and then incorrectly read the Defendant implied consent, which only applies to breath tests. Officers noticed that there ere three cans of beer in the vehicle as well. The Defendant was arrested for DUI and was NOT taken to the Breath Testing Facility and DUI Room, but only the Broward County Main Jail. The Defendant was never asked to submit to a breath test. After the Defendant’s arrest, Officers discovered 27 pills located in a tackle box in the Defendant’s vehicle which ultimately were revealed to be anabolic steroids. Partner, Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer & Bell prepared for trial. During preparation, the firm filed several Motions in Limine (Motions to Exclude Evidence) that asked the court to exclude any reference to roadside exercises or the Defendant’s alleged refusal top perform them as the Defendant was not offered the roadside exercises and, thus, never refused them. Additionally, the court was asked to exclude any mention of a refusal to submit to a breath test or failure to give on as, again, one was never offered. Finally, the court was asked to prohibit the State from discussing the anabolic steroids as such pills, although a controlled substance, are not those of an impairing or intoxicating nature. After receiving the Motion, the state conceded and was compelled to drop all DUI related charges. Meltzer & Bell was also able to have all felony drug charges dropped as well.
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Result:  Not Guilty
Driving Under the Influence
The Defendant was charged with Driving Under the Influence. Officers of the Davie Police Department were alerted by a concerned citizen that our client was leaving The Billiard Club, a pool bar, in an extremely intoxicated state and about to drive. The Officer approached the vehicle as the car was in reverse, ordered the Defendant to stop the vehicle and conducted a wellness check and noticed the Defendant had bloodshot eyes, the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and extremely slurred speech. Based on those observations, the officer asked the Defendant to perform roadside sobriety exercises, to which the defendant refused. The Defendant was placed under arrest for DUI and was asked to submit to a breath test, but, again refused. Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer and Bell began to prepare for trial and researched case law in an effort to suppress or throw out the stop of the Defendant’s vehicle and all evidence that followed the stop as being unconstitutional and based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion as the Defendant had done nothing to justify her vehicle being stopped. The firm and Mr. Meltzer researched a similar factual scenario in State v. Sliviak in which the stop was suppressed based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in an almost identical situation. This case law was presented to the State prior to trial. Upon receiving it, the State agreed and dropped the DUI charge.
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Result:  Charges Dropped
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING
The Defendant was observed by Officer Troy Murdock of the Coral Springs Police Department traveling 55 in a 40mph and weaving uncontrollably to the extent traffic began to slow in order to evade her. The officer activated his emergency lights in order to stop the Defendant, however, she did not until she was forced to because of a traffic backup at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Coral Springs Drive. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage; that she could not handle or identify her vehicle documentation and that her speech was extremely slurred and that she was disoriented to the point where she was nodding off in front of the officer. When asked if she knew how fast she was moving the defendant responded by saying “I was doing 99.9”. The Defendant was asked to exit the vehicle and could not place the car in park. Upon exiting the vehicle, the Defendant almost fell into oncoming traffic and had to be saved by the officer. The Defendant could not maintain her balance and was disheveled in her appearance. The defendant refused to perform roadside exercises and later refused a breath test. The defendant had previously been arrested for DUI and previously had her licensed suspended for refusing a breath test and admitted to “having some vodkas”. Meltzer & Bell, once again, proceeded to trial. At trial, our attorneys were able to demonstrate that the officer was not truthful in his testimony through the use of photographs and google satellite photos, and based upon the testimony of the client.
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Result:  DUI Dismissed
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This past year I bought myself a new toy. It’s the third bike I’ve owned, so ‘Im familiar with the tickets that come with it. So far Steven Bell, Esq. has had my reckless driving reduced to a $50 fine and driving school-no points and a complete dismissal of criminal charges. Had my driving without a license dropped-no points. And a 30 over speeding ticket to a fine and driving school-no points. I’d have to say this law-firm handles their own. If your looking for a stress free way of handling your tickets call Meltzer and Bell PA, “The Traffic Stop”.

L.J.
19 Aug 2023

Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” really went above and beyond in their representation of me in Osceola County on my speeding ticket. They may possibly be THE BEST traffic lawyers I’ve ever encountered. Be sure to send your friends and family to the Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” for their traffic ticket and DUI needs. I can’t believe that they got the result that they did. Quite simply, they are the most professional firm that I have ever dealt with, and their level of expertise and communication is unparalleled.

I sincerely thank you for everything.

J.N.
27 Jul 2023

I just had to commend you on the outstanding job you did on behalf of your client in court yesterday. If my clients were ever to ask me if I know of a good DUI defense attorney, I know to whom I can refer them!

A.A.
14 Jun 2023

I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my ticket for me. I am thrilled with the outcome and I will definitely refer you to all my family and friends! Thank you so much!

C.W.
05 May 2023

Thank you Meltzer and Bell, The Traffic Stop, for handling my recent accident case. You did an amazing job in getting my case dismissed and saved me TONS of money in the long run. I will always recommend your services to anyone who wants the job done right!

K.R.
25 Apr 2023
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