I’ve already written about collateral damages that may result from a conviction for operating under the influence (OUI). Medical doctors and nurses are under immense scrutiny from their respective licensing boards when this type of charge is brought.
I recently represented a medical doctor charged with OUI/refusal. The case went to trial and he was found not guilty. It looks like he is in good shape with the Medical Board. But, again I advise all who hold any type of professional license, and whom have been charged with OUI, to immediately seek the advice of an attorney who practices before your board in addition to the best OUI defense attorney available. That advice is echoed by me in my initial meetings with prospective clients. We ALWAYS discuss collateral issues at that free initial consultation. Sometimes, those collateral issues are the key to your decision of whether to agree to a plea offer or go to trial. Although my recent doctor client received an otherwise favorable offer, the collateral consequences outweighed the risk of a jury trial.
Nonetheless, I immediately referred him to an outstanding attorney who practices regularly before the medical licensing board in order to proactively deal with their concerns. If you hold any type of license , professional or otherwise (USCG, FAA, Nursing, Real Estate,etc.) , make sure your defense attorney provides you with the information that you need, directly or by referring you to counsel, to protect that license as well as your driver’s license.
For more information regarding OUI or any type of criminal charge, please call us at 207-879-4000 for a free consultation. We are located at 1250 Forest Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103. Check us out at www.nicholschurchill.com.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general, not specific, information about Maine law. The publication of this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship between the author(s) and the reader(s).
