Educational and Professional Consequences of an OVI Conviction

OVI ConvictionMost people realize that an operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI) conviction will impact your ability to drive for some period of time, will result in possibly onerous fines, and be a general heap of inconvenience. But it is important to know that a conviction for OVI or drunk driving can have a lifelong impact on your education and your career.

An OVI conviction before applying for entrance to a college could impact the application process. Many colleges request any arrests or convictions as part of the application process. Though some colleges may show leniency if you’ve completed an alcohol or drug-counseling program, they could well dismiss your application outright. If you suffer an OVI conviction after admission to college, there may still be profound consequences. The school, depending on their policies, may require you attend a drug or alcohol counseling program, require you move out of student housing, suspend your extracurricular participation, and may even kick you out of school entirely.

For medical professionals, the public relies on medical professionals’ skill and judgment, so naturally the consequences of an OVI conviction are serious. Ohio State licensing boards have very strict guidelines and penalties connected with drunk driving or OVI for medical professionals.  If a medical professional is convicted of OVI, it can mean the loss of licensure and ultimately the loss of the individual’s job and possibly entire career.  There are different penalties for different licenses. Impaired driving penalties are based on the regulations of that particular state licensing board.

The Ohio Board of Nursing has purview over professional licensing for nurses.  If you’re a nurse convicted of impaired driving, penalties may include denying, revoking, suspending or restricting  “…any nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate issued by the board; reprimand or otherwise discipline a holder of a nursing license, certificate of authority, or dialysis technician certificate; or impose a fine of not more than five hundred dollars per violation.” Impaired driving is not specifically listed as a license revocation offense, but the code does state that conviction for “felony or a crime of moral turpitude in Ohio” or misdemeanor conviction would make an Ohio nurse in danger of these penalties.

Dental professionals – dentists and dental hygienists – must pass a criminal background check prior to being licensed by the Ohio State Dental Board. Disciplinary guidelines from the Ohio State Dental Board include possible license suspension or revocation for any felony conviction or for any misdemeanor committed in the course of practice.

For pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, the State Board of Pharmacy has authority for licensing in Ohio. If a pharmacist or pharmacy technician faces impaired driving charges, those charges can have serious implications due to the sensitive nature of the work they do and substances they handle. Impaired driving may be taken as a sign of a substance abuse issue.

The State Medical Board of Ohio licenses doctors and operates under disciplinary guidelines to address impaired driving convictions. As with the other medical professionals, a conviction can have a lifelong impact on a doctor’s ability to practice medicine.

Need an OVI attorney in Columbus, Ohio?

If you need an attorney to help you fight OVI charges, you need someone who can bring the skill and knowledge to bear to defend your present and future. The skilled, trusted legal representation at Probst Law Office offers the help you need to be sure you have the representation you deserve.  Get the experience, skill and knowledge you need when you hire Michael Probst as your attorney.  Contact Michael today for your free consultation, or call now at 614-232-8890.