Can You Lose Your Teaching License After a DWI?
Depending on your school district and the level of conviction, you may lose your teaching license if you are charged with a DWI even while off duty.
In the following article, we’ll go over what happens if you receive a DWI while employed as a teacher in Texas.
Austin Teaching Certification Revocation Defense Attorney
Losing your teaching license is life-changing. The loss of years of progress obtaining your teaching certification is absolutely devastating and can result in a forced career shift that you may not be ready for.
If you receive a DWI while teaching, there is a chance that you could lose your job and your certification – if you have multiple convictions this chance increases substantially. The best thing to do if you receive a DWI is to contact the Law Office of Kevin Bennett. Kevin Bennett has a strong history of providing legal defense for DWI cases, and is ready to help you defend your teaching 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.
Information Center
- Teaching Certifications
- Qualifying Events for Revocation
- Reporting Charges
- What to do if You’ve Been Charged with a DWI
- Reinstating a Certification After Revocation
- Hire a DWI Attorney in Austin, Texas
What is a Teaching Certification and the SBEC?
In Texas, you are required to receive a teaching certification from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). This certification allows a person to legally educate students in the state of Texas, and is a near absolute requirement for teaching in a public school district. If you are disciplined and terminated from the district during the year, you will likely be required to attend a hearing with the SBEC to determine whether or not you can keep your license.
These events which may result in the loss of your teaching certification are called “qualifying events.”
What are Some Qualifying Events?
The events which may qualify for dismissal from your school district will vary. However, the SBEC has a list of convictions that may result in suspension or revocation:
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving a form of sexual or physical abuse or other illegal conduct in which the victim is a minor or a student
- Conviction of a felony involving a controlled substance
- Conviction of a felony involving school district funds
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving a professional certificate or license issued by the SBEC
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
“Moral turpitude” is a catch-all for any crime committed that violates the general standards of the teacher’s community. This may include first-time DWI convictions.
Do I Have to Report My Charges?
Yes. State education law requires that you inform your school district if you are charged with a DWI or any other crime. Failure to do so will likely result in termination, and may result in the loss of your teaching certification.
What do I do if I’m Charged With a DWI?
Just because you’ve been charged with a DWI doesn’t mean that you will lose your license. However, everything you say and do from the moment of the traffic stop will affect your case.
The best thing to do is to consult with a licensed attorney with a strong background in education law. A good lawyer can provide the guidance needed on how to frame the incident, can help reduce the DWI charges and may be able to represent you during an SBEC hearing, if needed.
You will need to contact your school to let them know about the incident immediately. If you are in good standing, there is a strong chance that the school will work with you, so long as the incident is minor. However, if a parent or educator submits a formal complaint to the SBEC, then you will need to defend your teaching certification.
Reinstatement
If you have lost your license, then you will need to fight to have it reinstated. The minimum reapplication date is 5 years after the date your license was revoked (Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Section 249.44.
If you are applying to reinstate your teaching certification then your lawyer will help provide the necessary materials to help your case.
Hire a Teaching Certification Revocation Attorney 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.
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.
