Any licensed professional, including doctors, nurses, teachers, real estate agents and many more, who is convicted of a Los Angeles felony or misdemeanor offense can face potential disciplinary action from the relevant state licensing agency. A professional may face a license suspension or even revocation as the result of a criminal conviction. If you are a licensed professional who has been arrested for a crime in the Los Angeles area, it is critical that you consult with an experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer immediately.
A criminal conviction can impact a number of professionals who are required to be licensed with the state, including doctors, lawyers, nurses, accountants, contractors, dentists, pharmacists, police officers, real estate brokers and teachers, among others. One of the most devastating aspects of a criminal conviction is the consequences it may have on the defendant’s career, as the licensing board may take disciplinary action as a result of the criminal conviction.
In addition to those who are already licensed professionals, anyone who is applying for a professional license will be required to disclose any conviction on his or her record. A failure to report the conviction could lead to a denial of the application and additional criminal charges in some cases. This typically includes convictions that have been expunged or sealed. Every licensing agency has its own rules and codes of conduct for its members and it is important to know what effect a conviction will have on a licensee or license applicant.
When a person is arrested on a criminal offense, the arrest will be communicated to the relevant board responsible for licensing and monitoring members. This includes the Medical Board of California, the Board of Registered Nursing, the State Bar of California and the California Board of Accountancy. The Board will typically send the licensee a letter requesting a statement about the circumstances of the arrest. The licensing agency may also request court records and police reports. In many cases, the agency will agree to delay any potential inquiry until after the case has been resolved.
While every professional licensing agency has its own practices, typically the agency will choose to discipline licensees whose criminal conduct shows that they pose a threat to the public. Disciplinary boards may take action for defendants who have been convicted of DUI. The licensing board will pay special attention to the underlying facts of the conviction and are more likely to discipline members who were driving under the influence of drugs, who were involved in an accident or a hit and run, who refused testing, who have prior DUI convictions or who were found to have high blood alcohol concentrations.
Licensing boards will also pay attention to drug-related convictions. In many cases, the agency will want to see that the member has taken steps to address any underlying addiction issues, such as voluntarily going into treatment or participating in addiction treatment classes. Many professions that rely on a strong level of public trust, such as accountants, lawyers and real estate agents, will take action against members who commit fraud offenses or other theft crimes. Even a low level theft crime such as shoplifting can result in an official Board inquiry and potential disciplinary action.
If you are a licensed professional who has been charged with a criminal offense, it is absolutely imperative that you discuss your situation with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer as soon as possible. As a former Deputy District Attorney with over 14 years of prosecutorial experience, Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kraut understands how to effectively defend professional clients and help them avoid potential disciplinary action.
For more information about Los Angeles professional consequences, and to schedule your free consultation, contact Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Michael Kraut at the Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers, Inc. located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Mr. Kraut can be reached 24/7 at (323) 464-6453.