If you hold a professional license in Texas, a criminal conviction can have serious consequences for your career. Many professionals in both white-collar and blue-collar industries depend on their licenses to maintain their livelihoods. A conviction can jeopardize years of hard work and limit future opportunities.
In this post, we will provide an overview of how a criminal conviction might affect your career, explore which professions are most at risk, and identify the Texas agencies that could act on your conviction. Lastly, we will offer tips on how to mitigate the impact of a conviction on your professional life.
How Criminal Convictions Impact Professional Licenses
Texas takes professional licensing seriously. Many licensing boards have strict rules regarding criminal convictions. A conviction for certain crimes can lead to the suspension or even revocation of your license. Whether you can continue working in your field depends on the severity of the crime and how it relates to your profession.
Licensing boards evaluate several factors. These include the nature of the offense, how long ago the conviction occurred, and whether it involved moral turpitude. Moral turpitude refers to actions that violate community standards of justice and honesty, such as fraud or embezzlement.
For many professionals, even a misdemeanor can be career-altering. More serious crimes, such as felonies, may automatically disqualify individuals from holding a license. In either case, the aftermath of a criminal conviction often brings uncertainty and stress for professionals relying on their licenses to work.
White-Collar Professions at Risk
White-collar professionals in Texas, especially those in fields that require ethical behavior, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of a criminal conviction. Professions such as law, medicine, finance, and accounting are subject to strict oversight from licensing boards.
For instance, lawyers must answer to the State Bar of Texas. Even a misdemeanor can lead to a formal disciplinary review, suspension, or disbarment. Medical professionals face similar scrutiny from the Texas Medical Board. Any criminal conviction can lead to license suspension or loss, depending on the nature of the crime.
Financial professionals are also under close watch. Accountants, stockbrokers, and insurance agents face strict regulations from agencies like the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy and the Texas Department of Insurance. Crimes involving fraud, theft, or dishonesty can be devastating for individuals in these professions.
Educators are another group at risk. Teachers and school administrators in Texas can lose their teaching credentials following a conviction, especially if the offense involves children or moral turpitude. Licensing boards tend to view crimes involving dishonesty or harm to others as major red flags.
Blue-Collar Professions at Risk
Blue-collar professionals, while sometimes facing less scrutiny than their white-collar counterparts, can still suffer significant consequences from a criminal conviction. Trades that require specialized licenses, such as plumbing, electrical work, or trucking, are particularly vulnerable.
For example, truck drivers holding a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may lose their license after certain convictions. Crimes involving drugs, alcohol, or reckless driving can disqualify a driver from holding a CDL, effectively ending their career. The Texas Department of Public Safety oversees CDL licensing and is vigilant about monitoring criminal records.
Similarly, contractors, electricians, and plumbers are regulated by state licensing boards, such as the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Even seemingly unrelated offenses, like drug possession or theft, can lead to disciplinary action, fines, or loss of a license.
Healthcare workers in blue-collar roles, such as nurses and pharmacy technicians, are also vulnerable. Convictions for offenses involving drugs or physical harm to others can lead to suspension or revocation of licenses issued by the Texas Board of Nursing or the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
Which Texas Agencies Will See Your Conviction?
Various Texas agencies play a role in monitoring professional conduct and enforcing licensing laws. If you are convicted of a crime, these agencies may be notified and will assess the impact of your conviction on your professional license.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) governs a wide range of professions, from electricians to cosmetologists. The TDLR requires licensees to disclose any criminal convictions, which are then reviewed to determine if they affect the individual’s ability to work safely and ethically.
The Texas Medical Board (TMB) monitors physicians and other medical professionals. Any criminal conviction involving moral turpitude or unethical behavior can trigger an investigation, potentially leading to suspension or revocation of a medical license.
Similarly, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA) oversees accountants, while the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) monitors insurance agents and brokers. Both agencies take a hard stance on criminal activity, especially crimes related to dishonesty or fraud.
The Texas State Bar is responsible for lawyers, who are required to disclose criminal convictions. Even minor offenses can lead to disciplinary action, including the suspension or revocation of a license to practice law.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees educators. Convictions for crimes involving children or moral turpitude can result in losing the ability to work as a teacher or administrator in Texas schools.
Mitigating the Damage of a Conviction
While a criminal conviction can have serious repercussions on your professional license, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage. The first step is to be proactive in addressing the situation with your licensing board.
Consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to assess your options. An attorney can help negotiate a plea deal that minimizes the impact on your professional license or assist in seeking post-conviction relief, such as expunction or sealing of records. These legal processes may help reduce the long-term damage of a conviction.
You should also consider being honest with your licensing board. Many boards allow professionals to provide a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding a conviction. Showing remorse and demonstrating how you have taken steps to address any issues can be critical in mitigating the consequences.
Additionally, completing any required rehabilitation programs, such as substance abuse treatment or anger management, may work in your favor. This can show the licensing board that you are committed to improving your behavior and are less likely to reoffend.
Finally, it may be possible to appeal a licensing board’s decision if your license is suspended or revoked. An attorney experienced in administrative law can assist in filing an appeal and representing you in front of the board.
Conclusion
The best way to avoid professional consequences from a criminal conviction is to avoid the conviction. Hiring a good attorney can increase the chances that you will not face a criminal conviction.
Even if you are facing conviction, an experienced attorney can help you to mitigate the damage to your career. A criminal conviction can have devastating consequences on your professional license in Texas, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your career. By understanding the risks, taking proactive steps, and seeking experienced legal counsel, you can mitigate the damage and work toward preserving your livelihood.
If you or someone you know is facing criminal charges and holds a professional license, contact a qualified criminal defense attorney immediately. Early intervention can make all the difference in protecting your career.