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Healthcare Professionals and DUI

Healthcare professionals includes doctors, nurses, medical technicians, pharmacists, psychiatrists, you name it. These individuals, after completing years of secondary and post-secondary education, are entrusted to care for and provide medical advice to any person in need.

Indeed, healthcare professionals are held to one of the highest standards of conduct. When a doctor or nurse, for example, violates those standards, such misconduct can have drastic effects on his or her career.

One of the most common social past time amongst professionals is sharing an alcoholic beverage. When done responsibly, of course it can be a great time, but many professionals, unfortunately, turn to alcohol to relieve stress or become addicted. When those professionals drink and drive, the consequences can result in career devastation.

Attorney for DUI and Healthcare Professionals in West Palm Beach, FL

If you or someone you know is a doctor or a nurse in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is under investigation for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, then contact the experienced DUI attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A..

Our office will fight to get you the relief you need when facing professional license suspension. We take cases throughout the Greater Miami Metropolitan Area in places like Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, and Broward County, FL.

Call (561) 557-8686 to schedule a one-on-one consultation to learn more about what the attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. can do for you.

Information Center for Healthcare Professionals who DUI

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Collateral Consequences of DUI

Since the consequences of a driving under the influence charge are largely determined by the number of DUI charges an individual has received in the past, it follows that the number of DUI charges can affect the types of collateral consequences an individual may face as well.

Some of the factors that licensing boards consider when deciding whether to suspend a healthcare professional’s license include the following:

  • The number of DUI offenses – a review board will likely look at whether the DUI was a single isolated occurrence or if there is a larger concern of alcohol abuse;
  • Whether the alleged offender has an addition – similar to the number of offenses, if an offender shows signs of addiction, it may be a determining factor in whether his or hers license will be suspended;
  • Whether the individual is safe to practice – the number of charges, along with the individual’s past and present behavior will all be determining factors for licensure;
  • Whether the individual requires monitoring –the board may also look at whether the alleged offender should be subject to some monitoring based on his or her drug behavior.

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Disciplinary Action Against a Medical Practitioner

The Florida Legislature grants the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation the overall authority to regulate healthcare professionals.

The Florida Board of Medicine is a department within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Board is authorized to impose multiple sanctions including revoking, suspending, fines, or denying the renewal of a medical license.

The Florida Statutes § 458.331(l)(s) states, in part, the following: “Being unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness or use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition.”

In addition to being reviewed by the Board, other members of the Florida Board of Medicine are required to report to the Department any behavior by other medical practitioners that indicate impairment due to the use of alcohol or other drugs.

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Types of Fines Healthcare Professionals Face

Upon a finding of guilty, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will impose significant fines and sanctions. Such fines may include any or all of the following:

  • Random drug and alcohol screening;
  • Probation;
  • Job loss;
  • Mandatory DUI School;
  • License Revocation in Florida or other states; or
  • Fines of up to $10,000.

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Find an Attorney for Healthcare Professionals and DUI in Palm Beach County, FL

If you or someone you know has been charged with driving under the influence or any other driving offenses in Florida, and who is also a healthcare professional, contact one of our experienced DUI attorneys.

At Meltzer & Bell, P.A. we litigate all kinds of Florida traffic offenses, including driving under the influence of marijuana, alcohol, or other controlled substances. We take cases in the Greater Miami Metropolitan Area in places like Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County, FL.

Call (561) 557-8686 now for more information about the services we provide to healthcare professionals.

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Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance and DUI (Second Offense w/in 5)
The Defendant was charged with Felony Possession of Controlled Substance, punishable by 5 years in prison, and Driving Under the Influence, a second DUI offense within five years of a prior DUI conviction which carries a mandatory jail sentence and a five-year driver’s license revocation. The Defendant’s vehicle was stopped by Officer Malave of the Sunrise Police Department for repeatedly stopping and starting his vehicle near an intersection and for violating a flashing yellow light by stopping and remaining stationary at the intersection. Officer Malave approached the vehicle and made contact with the Defendant. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the Officer noticed that the defendant had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech ; and the Defendant was incapable of formulating complete sentences. The Defendant would nod off in mid-sentence and was completely incoherent at times. After making those observations, Officer Malave, a female called for the assistance of two male officer’s due to the Defendant’s condition and physical size. The male officers loudly ordered the Defendant out of the car on multiple occasions, but the Defendant would not comply. The Officers attempted to forcibly remove the Defendant from the vehicle, but the Defendant resisted those efforts by bracing, pulling and stiffening his body so that the officers could not move him. The Defendant was slammed to the ground, which the officers took as a refusal to perform roadside exercises and then incorrectly read the Defendant implied consent, which only applies to breath tests. Officers noticed that there ere three cans of beer in the vehicle as well. The Defendant was arrested for DUI and was NOT taken to the Breath Testing Facility and DUI Room, but only the Broward County Main Jail. The Defendant was never asked to submit to a breath test. After the Defendant’s arrest, Officers discovered 27 pills located in a tackle box in the Defendant’s vehicle which ultimately were revealed to be anabolic steroids. Partner, Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer & Bell prepared for trial. During preparation, the firm filed several Motions in Limine (Motions to Exclude Evidence) that asked the court to exclude any reference to roadside exercises or the Defendant’s alleged refusal top perform them as the Defendant was not offered the roadside exercises and, thus, never refused them. Additionally, the court was asked to exclude any mention of a refusal to submit to a breath test or failure to give on as, again, one was never offered. Finally, the court was asked to prohibit the State from discussing the anabolic steroids as such pills, although a controlled substance, are not those of an impairing or intoxicating nature. After receiving the Motion, the state conceded and was compelled to drop all DUI related charges. Meltzer & Bell was also able to have all felony drug charges dropped as well.
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Result:  Not Guilty
Driving Under the Influence
The Defendant was charged with Driving Under the Influence. Officers of the Davie Police Department were alerted by a concerned citizen that our client was leaving The Billiard Club, a pool bar, in an extremely intoxicated state and about to drive. The Officer approached the vehicle as the car was in reverse, ordered the Defendant to stop the vehicle and conducted a wellness check and noticed the Defendant had bloodshot eyes, the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and extremely slurred speech. Based on those observations, the officer asked the Defendant to perform roadside sobriety exercises, to which the defendant refused. The Defendant was placed under arrest for DUI and was asked to submit to a breath test, but, again refused. Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer and Bell began to prepare for trial and researched case law in an effort to suppress or throw out the stop of the Defendant’s vehicle and all evidence that followed the stop as being unconstitutional and based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion as the Defendant had done nothing to justify her vehicle being stopped. The firm and Mr. Meltzer researched a similar factual scenario in State v. Sliviak in which the stop was suppressed based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in an almost identical situation. This case law was presented to the State prior to trial. Upon receiving it, the State agreed and dropped the DUI charge.
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Result:  Charges Dropped
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING
The Defendant was observed by Officer Troy Murdock of the Coral Springs Police Department traveling 55 in a 40mph and weaving uncontrollably to the extent traffic began to slow in order to evade her. The officer activated his emergency lights in order to stop the Defendant, however, she did not until she was forced to because of a traffic backup at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Coral Springs Drive. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage; that she could not handle or identify her vehicle documentation and that her speech was extremely slurred and that she was disoriented to the point where she was nodding off in front of the officer. When asked if she knew how fast she was moving the defendant responded by saying “I was doing 99.9”. The Defendant was asked to exit the vehicle and could not place the car in park. Upon exiting the vehicle, the Defendant almost fell into oncoming traffic and had to be saved by the officer. The Defendant could not maintain her balance and was disheveled in her appearance. The defendant refused to perform roadside exercises and later refused a breath test. The defendant had previously been arrested for DUI and previously had her licensed suspended for refusing a breath test and admitted to “having some vodkas”. Meltzer & Bell, once again, proceeded to trial. At trial, our attorneys were able to demonstrate that the officer was not truthful in his testimony through the use of photographs and google satellite photos, and based upon the testimony of the client.
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Result:  DUI Dismissed
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This past year I bought myself a new toy. It’s the third bike I’ve owned, so ‘Im familiar with the tickets that come with it. So far Steven Bell, Esq. has had my reckless driving reduced to a $50 fine and driving school-no points and a complete dismissal of criminal charges. Had my driving without a license dropped-no points. And a 30 over speeding ticket to a fine and driving school-no points. I’d have to say this law-firm handles their own. If your looking for a stress free way of handling your tickets call Meltzer and Bell PA, “The Traffic Stop”.

L.J.
19 Aug 2023

Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” really went above and beyond in their representation of me in Osceola County on my speeding ticket. They may possibly be THE BEST traffic lawyers I’ve ever encountered. Be sure to send your friends and family to the Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” for their traffic ticket and DUI needs. I can’t believe that they got the result that they did. Quite simply, they are the most professional firm that I have ever dealt with, and their level of expertise and communication is unparalleled.

I sincerely thank you for everything.

J.N.
27 Jul 2023

I just had to commend you on the outstanding job you did on behalf of your client in court yesterday. If my clients were ever to ask me if I know of a good DUI defense attorney, I know to whom I can refer them!

A.A.
14 Jun 2023

I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my ticket for me. I am thrilled with the outcome and I will definitely refer you to all my family and friends! Thank you so much!

C.W.
05 May 2023

Thank you Meltzer and Bell, The Traffic Stop, for handling my recent accident case. You did an amazing job in getting my case dismissed and saved me TONS of money in the long run. I will always recommend your services to anyone who wants the job done right!

K.R.
25 Apr 2023
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