Professionals in Pennsylvania don’t just suddenly fall into well paid, successful careers. They pursue specialized educations, develop industry connections and secure professional licensing. They are then subject to oversight by a licensing board for the rest of their careers.
There are 29 different licensing boards that oversee various professions in Pennsylvania, ranging from medical to financial careers. It can take years for someone to be eligible for a particular job, and they could lose their ability to continue their career in a matter of minutes in some cases.
Criminal charges and other allegations of misconduct could lead to disciplinary efforts by the licensing board that oversees someone’s profession. Embattled professionals often secure the assistance of an attorney when they believe their license is at risk.
Lawyers can help fight charges
Often, criminal convictions are what lead to licensing penalties for professionals. Background checks are standard when people apply for new licenses and when they renew their current professional license. Even if a licensing board does not hear about someone’s conviction immediately after it occurs, they could uncover the issue when someone seeks license renewal in a few years. Those who work with a lawyer to develop an effective criminal defense strategy can potentially avoid a conviction or reach an agreement that allows them to plead guilty to a lesser offense that is unlikely to endanger their professional license.
Lawyers can attend disciplinary hearings
If someone has already gone to court and has a conviction on their record or if the disciplinary action they face has to do with professional negligence rather than breaking the law, a lawyer can still offer crucial support. Attorneys can represent professionals during disciplinary hearings. They understand the rules that govern the licensing boards and the rights of professionals facing criminal charges. A lawyer’s assistance could allow someone to effectively plead their case in front of the licensing board and avoid the worst-case scenario in which they lose their license.
The sooner an embattled professional receives legal guidance and advocacy, the better their chances are of overcoming the professional licensing issues they face. Partnering with the right legal professional can make a major difference for those worried about retaining a professional license.