You will always benefit from hiring a knowledgeable and dedicated professional license defense lawyer when you face the possibility of losing your credentials to pursue your career. Services that your legal representative and advisor can provide in such a situation include

• Explaining what you are being accused of and the potential consequences
• Interpreting licensing standards and relevant professional practice laws and rules in helpful ways
• Coordinating independent investigations into alleged offenses
• Checking the accuracy and admissibility of evidence that could be used against you
• Arranging for and collecting testimonials from supportive colleagues, clients, customers, and/or patients
• Protecting your rights during depositions, court hearings, and board meetings
• Filing appeals based on expert analyses of previous proceedings

Who Needs an Attorney for a Professional License Case?

No doubt, medical license defense attorney springs immediately to mind. But the State of Ohio requires and recognizes more than 100 types of professional licenses. Often, just accepting money for services in a particular profession without holding a valid state- or board-issued license is treated as a type of criminal fraud that can land a well-trained and well-meaning person in jail.

A partial list of licensed professionals in Ohio includes

• Accountants
• Architects
• Barbers
• Car dealers (many kinds)
• Cosmetologists
• Counselors
• Doctors (many kinds)
• Dentists
• Dietitians
• Engineers
• Funeral directors
• Insurance agents
• Lawyers
• Nurses
• Opticians
• Optometrists
• Pharmacists
• Psychologists
• Real estate agents
• Social workers
• Stock brokers
• Teachers
• Veterinarians
• X-ray technicians

Anyone whose job involves providing health care, handling other people’s finances, or building educating should check to see if pursuing their chosen career requires a license.

Why Can a Professional License Be Suspended or Revoked?

Criminal charges, court convictions, and ethical violations can cost professionals their licenses. While each profession operates under its own rules and regulations, circumstances that always put a professional’s license at risk include

• An arrest on drug possession or drug trafficking charges
• A charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, which what Ohio statutes call drunk or drugged driving
• Accusations of fraud and theft
• Alleged assaults on clients, customers, or patients, including sexual offenses
• Perceptions of gross negligence or reckless behavior, with two examples of this being surgeons operating while drunk or stock brokers lying about risks for financial losses
• Reports of mistreating clients, customers, or patients for any reason, but especially on the grounds of race, sex, gender, or ethnicity

Note that, in many cases, neither a conviction nor a confirmation of allegations and accusation is required for taking away a professional license. Temporary and conditional suspensions often precede official actions by judges and review boards. This reality makes hiring a professional license defense lawyer as soon as possible when you become involved in a criminal case or ethics case essential. Your legal ally can take actions to keep your license in effect as a court case or board action moves forward.

To speak with a medical license defense attorney or get help with another type of professional license dispute, call the Jones Law Group at (614) 545-9998. You can also set up an appointment for a free consultation online.