Any arrest creates some very real employment consequences for most people. The risk of a jail or prison sentence can mean that individuals will be unable to go to work and jobs may be in jeopardy, but probation sentences can often help these offenders maintain employment while resolving their criminal defense cases.
When a person's career involves a professional license, however, even a simple arrest can trigger a series of major consequences. Licensed professionals will frequently receive notices informing them that licensing boards are investigating alleged criminal offenses before formal complaints lead to hearings that can be critical in determining possible actions such as suspension or revocation of a license.
If you are a licensed professional in the Columbus area who was recently arrested for a criminal offense, try not to say anything to authorities until you have legal representation. You should also avoid making any comment about your arrest to any licensing board. Sabol | Mallory understands the importance of professional licenses to the long-term well-being of our clients and our firm helps individuals maintain their careers. Call (614) 300-5088 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.
Ohio has a number of different agencies responsible for issuing professional licenses. Some of the most prominent include:
In most cases of a licensed professional being arrested, an alleged offender will receive a notice from the licensing board and the agency conducts an investigation. When there is sufficient evidence of a violation, a licensing board will schedule a hearing, after which disciplinary measures, such as administrative actions, may be taken.
Undoubtedly the most frequent cause of professional licensing troubles usually concerns an arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI). This crime is frequently referred to as driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) in other states. Any criminal charge can create professional licensing issues though. Other common kinds of criminal charges involved in these cases include, but are not limited to:
The outcome to a person's criminal case can play an important role in the ultimate determinations made by licensing boards. A conviction obviously indicates a finding of guilt whereas an acquittal usually denotes that the state could not prove a person committed a criminal offense. These types of considerations need to be considered throughout the handling of your entire criminal case. Without proper representation, an alleged offender may be tempted to believe that a plea bargain involving pleading guilty to a reduced charge is beneficial when the guilty plea is actually incredibly damaging for their professional license. Certain outcomes can help avoid professional licensing issues. One such resolution is a consent decree. Some alleged offenders may be able to avoid professional licensing discipline by entering consent decrees, which usually admit liability of guilt and may be public or private. When the decree is public, then it will be available to other licensing agencies. Arrests can affect every conceivable angle of the professional licensing process. Sabol | Mallory helps people who are struggling with their initial applications for professional licenses as well as those who are facing disciplinary hearings for their current licenses or seeking to have licenses reinstated.
eLicense | Ohio.gov — eLicense Ohio is the state website designed to be a secure platform for all your licensure needs. Use this website to verify a license. You can also file a complaint. State Medical Board of Ohio — The State Medical Board of Ohio regulates over 64,000 health professionals, including 42,000 physicians. The Medical Board’s Hearing Examiners conduct the administrative hearings for applicants and licensees who request a hearing based on a citation issued by the Medical Board. Visit this website to learn more about complaints and investigations. State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 (614) 466-3934 Ohio Board of Nursing — Complaints about nurses can trigger investigations of alleged violations of the Nurse Practice Act (NPA). Visit this website to apply for a license and learn more about reactivation and reinstatement. You can also find information on license inactivation and copies of Ohio Board of Nursing discipline records dating from January 1994 to January 2019 can be downloaded directly using the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) nursys-QuickConfirm website. Ohio Board of Nursing 17 South High Street Suite 400 Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-3947
Are you a licensed professional who was recently arrested in the greater Columbus area? You will want to quickly retain legal counsel. Sabol | Mallory has over two decades of combined experience in criminal cases, and our firm can work to help you achieve the most favorable possible outcome to your case that does the least damage to your career. You can have our attorney provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call (614) 300-5088 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.
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