San Francisco, CA Professional License DUI Defense Lawyer

Marin County DUI Attorney Defending Clients Facing Denial, Suspension, or Revocation of a Professional License

Most people who are pulled over for DUI worry about having their driver's license suspended, heavy fines and other penalties, and avoiding jail time. For professionals who are charged with DUI, there is also the threat of losing their livelihood. If you are a professional who is facing a DUI charge, it is important to have an experienced professional license DUI defense attorney in your corner fighting hard to protect your rights and interests.

Since 1985, Burglin Law Offices, P.C. has successfully defended professionals facing the loss of their license after a DUI arrest. Attorney Paul Burglin co-authors California Drunk Driving Law, a two-volume treatise that is commonly known as "the Bible of DUI defense." Paul has extensive knowledge of the California DUI laws, and he understands what is at stake for professionals who need to keep their license valid to continue earning a living. Paul is one of only five attorneys in the state that is Board-Certified by the National College of DUI Defense, and his successful track record in this area of the law is a major reason he is frequently sought after by DMV hearing officers, prosecutors, and judges when one of their friends or family members is facing the possibility of losing their professional license.

Paul defends all types of professionals charged with DUI in California, some of the most common include:

• Attorneys
• Pilots
• Medical Doctors
• Nurses
• Chiropractors
• Insurance Brokers
• Registered Investment Brokers
• Vehicle Salespersons and Dealers
• Real Estate Brokers
• Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
• Public School Teachers
• Military and Other Government Employees
• Alcoholic Beverage Licensees

When is a Professional License at Risk in California?

If you hold a professional license of any kind in California, it is in jeopardy if you have a DUI conviction. Business & Professions Code (B&P) §490, with specified exceptions, gives any licensing board the authority to discipline a licensee with a criminal conviction that is "substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was issued."

Business & Professions Code §480 gives licensing boards the authority to deny an applicant a license based on a criminal conviction. If an applicant pled "no contest" or had the criminal conviction expunged, this does not prevent a licensee from being disciplined, or an applicant from being denied due to the conviction.

The California Department of Justice notifies licensing agencies when a licensee has been arrested. There are some agencies that do not even wait for a licensee to be convicted. Instead, they send the licensee a letter, after they are notified of an arrest, requesting that a completed statement be returned regarding the incident and pending court proceeding. Attorney Burglin can assist you in how best to respond to these inquiries, as you do not want to incriminate yourself, but you also want to be cooperative and forthcoming to the extent possible. Ignoring a request for information, or appearing to lack insight and remorse for an incident, can create a bigger problem.

Those with a professional license are frequently asked if they have ever been convicted of a crime. The most important thing you can do is to answer the question honestly and self-report it in a timely manner if such is required by your licensing board.

Agencies may choose whether or not to discipline a licensee based on a review of the facts and circumstances of the case (e.g., misdemeanor or felony DUI, accident resulting in death or serious injury, fleeing the scene of a DUI accident, etc.) and if the crime or act meets the threshold laid out in B&P §490 and B&P §480. Agencies are also required to "take into account all competent evidence of rehabilitation furnished by the applicant or licensee." For this reason, it is helpful for the licensee to embark on a program of recovery right away and maintain verification of it.

Contact a San Francisco Professional License DUI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Paul Burglin has been in personal recovery since 1990, and he knows what the California licensing boards want to see from individuals being investigated following a DUI arrest. Like a good doctor, a good lawyer helps his or her clients avoid future problems. Let Attorney Burglin help you. He has handled thousands of administrative hearings and defended many individuals against professional license suspensions and revocations.

If you are facing the loss of your professional license because of a DUI charge, contact attorney Burglin today at 415-729-7300 for a personalized consultation. We serve clients throughout the Bay Area, including Marin County, Tiburon, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Larkspur, San Rafael, Novato, San Anselmo and Fairfax. We handle locals and tourists cited in the wine country of Sonoma and Napa, as well as those cited in San Francisco, Oakland, and Martinez.