Being convicted of a criminal act in Utah can have detrimental consequences, both on your professional and personal life. Understanding how a criminal conviction can affect your professional license in Utah is crucial, whether you are a doctor in Salt Lake City or a teacher at a high school in Cottonwood Heights. If you have been accused of a crime in Utah, it is essential that you speak with an experienced Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer from Blackley & Wingad.
With decades of trial experience, the defense attorneys at Blackley & Wingad are not afraid of going up against even the most serious of criminal accusations. We have a proven track record of success when it comes to defending clients and delivering legal solutions and are ready to provide you with the highest level of defense possible. While we are aggressive in the courtroom, we are ready to meet you wherever you find yourself and protect your future.
The Consequences of a Criminal Conviction on Professional Licenses in Utah
When you are convicted of a crime in Utah, you can face serious consequences that affect your personal and professional life, not just legal penalties. According to a recent study, around 60% of formerly incarcerated individuals in the U.S. are now jobless, and felons reintegrating into society see a 30% unemployment rate. With over 14 million criminal offenses reported to the FBI in a single year, the risk of losing your professional licensure in these cases remains high.
Being convicted of a crime can massively affect your ability to both seek employment and hold onto any previous professional licenses you might have held prior to your conviction. In severe cases, certain crimes may keep you from being able to achieve certain licensure altogether, meaning that years of education and plans can be thrown away.
In Utah, there are a number of ways your professional licenses can be affected, including the following:
- Revocation. In Utah, the Division of Professional Licensing, or the DOPL, maintains the right to completely revoke a professional license in cases of criminal conviction. This can be devastating for individuals who are already extremely well-established in their professional field and careers, especially for professionals like therapists, physicians, or educators.
- Denial. If you are currently seeking professional licensure in a specific industry or field, whether it is nursing, teaching, or dentistry, even in cases where your conviction seems unrelated to said industry, the DOPL might deny your license. In these cases, denial is often based on reasons that are adjacent to the conviction rather than being based solely on the conviction.
- Suspension. The DOPL also has the legal ability to restrict or entirely suspend a professional license based on a criminal conviction. Typically, this suspension can happen after an arrest but before the official conviction, while the DOPL administers its own investigation.
Keep in mind that being transparent about a past criminal conviction is crucial when seeking a professional license. If you are not transparent, then you run the risk of losing your license completely rather than having it temporarily suspended. There are certain professional licenses that automatically get denied in cases of criminal convictions. For example, you would be unable to get a job as a security guard if your conviction prohibits you from possessing a gun.
Convictions That Often Affect Professional Licenses
While most felony convictions will keep you from maintaining or obtaining a professional license, there are some misdemeanors that can carry the same consequences. In Utah, the criminal convictions that often affect a professional license include:
- Violent crimes. Individuals who have been convicted of a violent crime, like assault, battery, murder, or domestic violence, will often lose their professional license.
- Drug crimes. If you have been convicted of a drug crime, even in past cases of simple possession, the conviction could impact your ability to get a required professional license, especially in the field of pharmaceuticals or in environments surrounding other addictive substances. Likewise, if you are currently working as a nurse or in substance abuse counseling, a drug offense conviction may cause the DOPL to revoke your license.
- Sex crimes. In cases of sex crimes, your license may be denied, suspended, or revoked if you are in the fields of massage therapy, nursing, physical therapy, social work, or clinical mental health counseling.
FAQs
Can a DUI Conviction Affect My Professional License?
Yes, absolutely. A DUI conviction can have a massive impact on your professional licenses, especially if you have to drive to complete the duties of your job. This is especially the case in situations where someone was injured or killed during an alleged incident of drunk driving. Professionals in the medical field can also face a loss of licensure in DUI cases.
What Other Rights Might I Lose if Convicted of a Crime?
The loss of professional licenses is not the only right you might lose when convicted of a crime. Depending on the nature and severity of a criminal conviction, you could also lose rights like the right to public assistance, the right to educational or financial aid, the right to bear, possess, or purchase arms, the right to vote, and certain parental or custody rights.
What Are the Other Personal Consequences of a Criminal Conviction?
In addition to losing or being denied a professional license, you could face a litany of other personal consequences. For example, landlords will likely run a background check on potential renters and may be less likely to rent to someone who has a criminal conviction on their public record.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
To hire a criminal defense lawyer in Utah, the involved costs will vary based on the factors of your case, as well as the education, skill level, and experience of your attorney. Determining case factors can include the duration and complexity of a defense case and the availability of evidence that can support you.
Hire a Professional License Defense Lawyer Today
If you have been charged with a crime in Utah, you need to hire a professional license defense lawyer who can protect your rights and your future. Contact Blackley & Wingad, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, today to learn more.
