Driving under the influence is wrong. As a medical professional and law-abiding citizen, you know this. Not only may you face termination from your job, but you may also lose your medical license. All you have ever wanted to do was become a doctor. Do you want to take the chance of a DUI arrest?
What happens if you do get a DUI? The investigation process is long and expensive. In addition to the courts, you may have to speak with the medical board about your medical license.
The medical board
The Georgia Composite Medical Board has the responsibility of licensing individual professionals and clinics. It has 15 members, of which 13 are practicing physicians, while the other two do not practice medicine and only vote on administrative policies. The Governor appoints all members, and the Senate confirms them.
The law
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated 43-34-8-13A gives the Georgia Composite Medical Board the authority to investigate and issue discipline when a physician is unable to perform his or her duties. The code states that the physician is unable to practice due to the use of alcohol, drugs or any other type of chemical or material that will put a patient’s life at risk.
The reasons
The OCGA lists several disciplinary actions the medical board may take if you receive a DUI. The following list includes only six of those actions:
- Refusal to grant a license, certificate or permit
- Place the person on probation with conditions
- Public or private reprimand
- Suspend, revoke or restrict a license, certificate or permit
- Impose a fine of no more than $3,000 for each violation
- Require a board approved mental and physical evaluation
Georgia has some of the toughest statutes on DUI. The consequences of receiving a DUI charge may be life-altering by not only compromising your reputation a medical professional, but also ruining the relationship you have with your family.