Medical License Revocation After a DWI
Receiving a DWI carries with it strong consequences in Texas. For medical professionals, these consequences are even stronger, and may result in job termination or even the loss of one’s medical license.
In this article we’ll go over the crimes that may result in the loss of one’s medical license and how a lawyer can help you keep it.
Austin Medical License Revocation Attorney
Losing your medical license can be devastating. If you’ve received a DWI, then you may face the suspension or loss of your medical license in addition to the overall cost of the DWI. In that case, you need to contact a skilled DWI lawyer like those at the Law Office of Kevin Bennett.
Kevin Bennett is a strong DWI attorney who is ready to aid you in your fight to maintain your medical license.
Call The Law Office of Kevin Bennett today at (512) 476-4626 if you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Your initial consultation is free, and it will begin the process of defending your freedom and protecting your driving privileges. Don’t wait another moment to speak to an experienced DWI Austin attorney as soon as possible to protect your future.
- Reasons for License Revocation
- Reinstating a Medical License
- Hire a Medical License Revocation Lawyer in Austin, Texas
Reasons for License Revocation
The Texas Medical Board (TMB) handles the provision and revocation of licenses in the state of Texas. If you are charged with a crime, you are required to inform both your employer and the TMB. Depending on the crime, you may be asked to step down from your position or surrender your license.
The following are some of the crimes which may warrant suspension or revocation of your medical license under Texas Administrative Code 22 Section 190.8:
- Any felony
- Any misdemeanor which involving “moral turpitude.”
- A crime which involves substance abuse
These hard checks are in addition to malpractice rules which may not necessarily be illegal but are indicative of irresponsibility. “Moral turpitude” is a catch-all for any behavior which the board may deem offensive to the local community. This makes the requirement for revocation vague and difficult to pin down, but also grants the board more leniency for smaller offenses like first-time DWIs.
A DWI may also indicate substance abuse, which may throw a doctor’s ability to justify prescriptions into doubt. For these reasons, a hospital, and subsequently the TMB, may DWI convictions worthy or license revocation.
What to do if You Are Charged with a DWI
If you’ve been charged with a DWI, it is recommended to hire a lawyer. This lawyer can provide both the legal aid to deal with the DWI charge and to advise you on how to speak with your hospital and the Texas Medical Board.
Be candid – if you receive a DWI, you are required by law to inform the TMB and your employer that you have been charged with a crime. The sooner that you do so, the more likely your governing authorities will be to work with you.
A good lawyer can help frame your communication between you and governing authorities and make the difference between losing your medical license and minor disciplinary actions.
Appealing the Revocation
If you have been disciplined by the Texas Medical Board and you believe that the decision was unjust, you have the right to appeal the decision to a higher court. But like at the administrative level, the appeal process is lengthy and complex. Meaning, in some instances an appeal may not be a worthwhile course of action.
Reinstatement
If your medical license has been revoked, it is possible to have it reinstated. 22 TAC §167.1(a)(1) requires a year before you can apply for reinstatement. You may not submit more than one application for reinstatement annually.
Hire a Medical License Revocation Lawyer in Austin, Texas
Contact Kevin Bennett today to discuss the circumstances surrounding your DUI charges in Travis County, Pflugerville, Lago Vista, Lakeway and the surrounding areas. As a qualified criminal defense attorney, Kevin Bennett will thoroughly review the facts surrounding your case, and use his knowledge of Texas DWI law and criminal legal procedure to weaken the prosecution’s case.
