Keeping Your Professional License After a Criminal Charge

Many people are shocked to discover that a criminal conviction can result in the loss of their professional license. On top of the criminal penalties you face upon conviction, you could be out of work in your chosen profession. If you hold a professional license and are facing criminal charges, you should contact our professional license defense attorneys as soon as possible. At Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys, we can help you face your charges and protect your ability to make a living.

To schedule a free consultation of your case, contact us today at (980) 237-4579.

Private Conduct May Impact Your Professional License

Many people mistakenly think that their behavior during non-working hours has no bearing on their professional license. This is typically untrue. Many licensing boards have far-reaching authority to suspend or revoke your ability to practice your profession under a wide variety of circumstances, even if the alleged crime has no bearing on your work.

Licensing boards tend to focus on crimes that demonstrate poor judgment, dishonesty, substance abuse problems, or whether you are a hazard to those you serve. The board may have the authority to judge your fitness to hold a license under a vague standard. In fact, you could face revocation or suspension of your professional license even if you aren’t convicted of the charges you’re facing.

Some criminal charges that are likely to jeopardize your professional license include:

• DWI (driving while impaired)
• Assault
• Sex crimes
• Theft
• Fraud
• Drug charges

If you’re facing any sort of criminal charges, you should discuss your case with a professional license defense attorney to understand the potential impacts of a conviction.

Criminal Charges in Another State May Still Impact Your License

Another common misconception is that criminal charges from another state will not affect your professional license in your home state. For example, if you hold a nursing license in North Carolina, a DWI charge from Florida can still result in suspension or revocation of your professional license. While your licensing board may not find out about your out-of-state charges, failure to disclose the offense could make a bad situation worse. At the same time, you want to be careful about how you inform your board. A professional licensing defense attorney can help you navigate this process in order to put you in a good position to avoid suspension or revocation.

The Licensing Board is Not Your Advocate

Licensing boards are not on your side. Many disciplinary proceedings are handled very similarly to a criminal prosecution. The disciplinary board will act as the prosecution, and you are the defendant. The proceedings will be adversarial in nature. As a result, any statements you make may be used against you, and the board will not be inclined to help you face your charges or keep your license.

Your Cooperation Does Not Guarantee Leniency

It’s important to understand that cooperating with the disciplinary proceedings does not mean that the licensing board will be lenient. It may be appreciated, but it could also do more damage to your license than you intended. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t cooperate – just that you should do so under the guidance of an experienced defense attorney.

Contact Our Professional License Defense Attorneys for Help

At Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys, we understand that criminal charges could have serious consequences for your professional reputation and impact your ability to make a living. We help doctors, nurses, financial advisors, and other professionals protect their licenses while facing criminal charges. Each board has its own standards and procedures, and we have the experience to help you fight for a fair result. Call (980) 237-4579, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation of your case.