How Does a DUI Affect Your Arizona Teaching Certificate? | Teacher in Arizona
What happens when a teacher in AZ gets a DUI?
Let’s first talk about that at the school level. It’s likely in your employment contract and may address this. If you get convicted of a crime, they may be able to terminate your agreement for cause.
If it’s not in your contract, there may be provisions in your handbook or teacher’s policy book that you sign as well. So, you’ll want to search at those two places. Also, the policy book or the contract typically states that you must report any arrest or criminal offenses, if not immediately, to the school.
You want to ensure you read those carefully and know your requirements at the school level. It is your requirement to self-report at the state level with your license. If not, it would get reported by the other agencies. And so, what happens?
Having an arrest for a DUI and being charged with a DUI are two different things. You’ll want to know where you are in the process, but if you’re arrested and then charged, the State Board of Education has a DUI disciplinary matrix. It talks about what happens if you get a DUI.
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Varying Levels of Arizona DUI
It goes through the different scenarios and doesn’t state what type of DUI. In the state of Arizona, there are a couple of varying levels of DUI. But the metrics do not address that. However, it addresses if it is your first DUI. They may investigate. Suppose they don’t find any substance abuse issues. In that case, you can have a negotiated settlement, and there may not be any disciplinary action for your first DUI. However, it is flagged.
And what that means is that if you were to get an additional DUI within the next three to five years. You’re looking at suspension or suspension with conditions, which might mean a required counseling or rehabilitation program. They’re also probably going to investigate to ensure you are not under the influence while teaching.
Also, is it under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or substances? So, that’s all the things that they’re going to consider. If you have three DUIs, they’ll likely suspend you or revoke your license here in Arizona.
Search for Mitigating Circumstances in Education
Now, they also search for mitigating circumstances. As I said, is this your first DUI? Do you have any other criminal history? Have you ever been disciplined before by Arizona’s State Board of Education?
Aggravating circumstances become counted against you. Was there a child in the car? Was there any property damage? Have you had multiple DUIs, or is there a history of substance abuse? Things like that will count against you, so your disciplinary action may be slightly more.
But if it’s your first DUI, like I said, it will be flagged by the State Board of Education. And they will watch that to ensure that within the next three to five years, you do not receive any other DUIs, criminal charges, or discipline.
And now, as I said, at the school level, unfortunately, you would have to report it. Look at your employment contract or in your teacher’s handbook to see what the requirements are and what the discipline is. Are you going to be terminated or suspended? Do you have to provide proof of rehabilitation or counseling? All those things you want to take into consideration.
Arizona Board of Education Attorney
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