By Bo Kalabus
An arrest or conviction could negatively impact any career. Facing criminal charges while earning a living with a professional license in Texas can be especially dicey. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and teachers, for example, may come under scrutiny from their respective boards of licensing in Austin, Texas. Even if the criminal charge has nothing to do with the person’s profession, or didn’t occur while they were working or on call, it can draw attention- such as a DWI for example. Such charges can still merit an investigation through a catch-all “unprofessional conduct” provision that most boards have on their rule books. Such disciplinary investigations could result in suspension or revocation of the professional license if not properly defended.
If you are a professional license holder facing criminal charges and you receive a letter of investigation from your licensing board, it is important that you consult with a lawyer before responding. Licensing boards in general are administrative agencies, and even though they may appear to represent you, their main purpose is to regulate your profession and to protect the public. Retaining a lawyer to represent you does not make you look guilty, it gives you an objective advocate that knows the arena you are in. A well-written response to an inquiry can sometimes quash the investigation before it gets off the ground. If it does not, you need to have experienced representation to defend your rights and your livelihood if the action goes to a full board hearing in Austin.
The attorneys at Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian have experience fighting on behalf of professionals who are at risk of potentially losing their license. Contact us at (972) 369-0577 for a legal consultation.