Expert Professional License Defense

Complications with occupational licenses are a serious matter. Occupational licenses are a legal requirement to work in several jobs, including medicine, hair styling, pet grooming, car dealers, interior designers, and many more. Any complaint or problem about a licensed job will also involve a government agency tasked with overseeing that industry. If trouble arises in your business, a professional license defense attorney should be among your first contacts.

Professional license defense involves dealing with government boards over license disputes; a lawyer versed in this kind of administrative law makes a big difference. A lawyer dealing with licensing boards can help you work through the different steps of the process, and Norman Spencer Law Group has just the team you need.

The central aspect of professional license defense is protecting your license and your right to work. When a complaint is issued, or a problem arises, it is usually taken to a regulatory board that is in charge of issuing licenses and administering punishments to those who abuse their licenses. In cases of criminal conduct, unethical behavior, negligence on the job, or even dishonest personal behavior, a regulatory board can become involved. Sometimes, prior criminal actions can affect the ability to acquire a license in the first place.

Depending on your industry and the type of alleged misconduct, the process of a regulatory board can vary. The types of disciplinary actions a board can take also depend on the industry and the severity of the case. All instances of alleged misconduct, however, usually involve a regulatory board investigating whatever allegations have been leveled against the licensee.

Disciplinary actions may include a license restriction, and in severe cases, the board can suspend or revoke a license. Sometimes a probationary period can be initiated on the licensee. In minor cases, fines and retraining periods can leave a license intact. These consequences vary based on state regulatory boards and federal law when it applies.

Three areas could require a professional license defense attorney: 

• Appealing an Application: This is when a licensee is denied an application and files to appeal that decision.
• Disciplinary Hearing: This is when a regulatory board investigates potential wrongdoing and seeks punitive action against a licensee, usually because of alleged misconduct.
• Petitioning for Reinstatement: This is when a former licensee is attempting to require a revoked or suspended license.

These processes have unique elements that need addressing. Depending on the type of case, they can be time-consuming. Another factor is that all of them can happen one after another concerning the same alleged offense that causes a license investigation. License defense can become complex and can be more hectic when state and federal regulations overlap. Add in potential disciplinary action, and a case can have many moving parts.

When faced with a license complaint or possible disciplinary action by a licensing board, the first step is to call an experienced lawyer. Because a license issue can quickly get out of hand, it is vital to have a qualified professional look through your case and help you handle it accordingly. No matter your industry, getting in touch with an attorney is never the wrong option. The earlier you contact a lawyer during your license defense, the more options you will have if you face serious allegations.

How Norman Spencer Law Group Can Help You

Having a professional licensed defense lawyer is crucial whenever license troubles come up precisely because of how complicated a case can get. A lawyer can help at every step of the way. This includes helping you navigate the appeals process, representing you in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), shortening possible probation periods, and helping you through the revocation and reinstatement procedures. 

No matter where you are in the process, a licensed defense attorney can help make the steps smoother. Even routine tasks such as gathering documents or keeping up with government correspondence become less tedious with the aid of an attorney. 

At Norman Spencer Law Group, our team of professional license defense attorneys has the experience that you can comfortably rely on. We have dealt with a varied caseload covering all your license defense needs. If you face a complaint, disciplinary action, or some form of restriction regarding your license, do not wait to contact us. We can offer you a free consultation about your case over the phone, by email, and via ZOOM. We are even available to meet you in person, should you prefer.

Federal criminal prosecution of a healthcare care professional doesn’t only put a mark on one’s criminal record. Also, it will have an impact on the professional license as well. Nearly all federal criminal issues are going to directly affect professional healthcare licenses. That is true even when the criminal charge is unrelated to your practice. This is why it is crucial to retain a criminal defense attorney who understands the ramifications of a criminal action for your license.

The defense attorneys at the Norman Spencer Law Group provide successful defense of healthcare practitioners. With decades of experience in the field, we know the consequences of a criminal conviction on your license. We’ve provided solid legal representation for doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, and others. In representing healthcare professionals, our particular focus is on limiting the negative effect of a criminal conviction.

How Would I Defend My License?

Choosing a defense lawyer who is unfamiliar with professional licensing can end up being a very costly mistake. Sometimes, the lawyer is inexperienced, and the damage is irreparable. In other cases, the lawyer will bring in another lawyer to assist with the licensing aspect, so the client will end up paying multiple attorneys: a professional licensing attorney and a criminal attorney.

With the Norman Spencer Law Group, you benefit from both roles in a single legal team. We are equally skilled in criminal defense as well as professional license defense.

Healthcare practitioners who face criminal charges must defend themselves in criminal courts and in front of the state licensing board that governs their specific practice area. These proceedings can be very stressful, as they involve multiple areas of law. We can handle anything with our vast experience and knowledge. Our main goal is to minimize and mitigate any damage you may have. We fight to save your freedom and your license.

Criminal defense lawyers unfamiliar with administrative law often plead cases in a way that makes it challenging to defend subsequent licensing actions. Our attorneys consider licensing consequences from the very beginning. We establish a strategy that keeps you as protected as you can be.

What Federal Criminal Charges Bring on Disciplinary Actions?

For healthcare professionals, federal criminal charges always result in administrative disciplinary action. Some charges arise more often in the healthcare field. These are the situations most healthcare professionals encounter.

Most federal criminal prosecutions of any healthcare provider include insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid fraud. There are also many cases of drug diversion brought by the DEA.  The government has recently begun prosecuting medical practices and private providers for PPP fraud.

Any federal criminal conviction will trigger an administrative action by the board or other agencies. These can result in license revocations and program terminations.

The Impact of Pleading Guilty

Pleading guilty to criminal charges has the same effect as a conviction by jury after trial. It will have the same severe consequences and disciplinary proceedings, it does not matter how the conviction happened, as long as it did. A guilty plea is the most substantial form of proof of misconduct. It will affect every other administrative proceeding that might happen in the future.

Similarly, pleading guilty to a criminal charge also prevents you from making many arguments in later administrative proceedings. So, accepting an offer or entering a plea deal might seem like a straightforward solution. However, it can also cause a ripple effect of negative consequences, not just in court.

Before you enter a guilty plea, you must understand the consequences of your professional license. This is where  Norman Spencer Law Group can help. Not only can our experienced defense lawyers outline the impact a guilty plea might have on your professional license, but we can also advise on which crimes are less likely to result in a license suspension.

What Happens After the Conviction?

Licensed healthcare professionals must report criminal convictions to the appropriate board within a specific timeframe.  Any conviction in any state will result in sanctions against your license. Those sanctions may include suspension and even a revocation of your license. That would greatly depend on the state you live in and the type of conviction.

Once you report the conviction to your licensing agency or learn of it, they will begin the disciplinary investigation. You will receive some communication from the board at that time. We recommend you reach out to the competent attorney as soon as you learn of the investigation. We also recommend that you never try to discuss the case with the investigator on your own.

At Norman Spencer Law Group, our goal is to work with the licensing agency from the beginning to mitigate the consequences for your professional life.

Norman Spencer Law Group Is Your Best Option

We are your best choice if you are a healthcare professional and the federal government investigates you for any criminal activity! We should be on your speed dial if you are already under indictment. You can benefit from our years of experience in federal criminal defense and professional license defense. No matter where you are in the country, we are here to help. Call today to set up your consultation with one of our attorneys.