How a Criminal Charge Affects Your Professional License in CA

If you live in California, a criminal charge can affect your professional license. Because of this, it’s incredibly important to make sure that you fight your criminal charges in court. By getting the charges dismissed or arranging for a pretrial diversion, you may be able to prevent your job from being affected. To learn more, make sure to reach out to the best criminal defense attorney.

Under California Business and Professions Code (BPC) 480, a state licensing board can revoke your license if you are convicted of a crime. In specific, your license can be revoked for any crime related to your job’s duties, functions, or qualifications.

For instance, a nurse who injuries a patient during the commission of a crime can have her license suspended or revoked. If you are arrested for a DUI while you are off-duty, you may face license issues as well if your profession relies on you not having a substance abuse disorder.

When it comes to criminal charges and professional licenses, many different crimes can affect your license. Any conviction is going to result in a formal investigation into your professional license by the licensing board for your profession.

Certain crimes are considered especially serious and can result in your licence’s revocation. These include crimes that involved the use of your registration and felonies. Misdemeanors are dealt with on a case-by-case basis, so the disciplinary approach taken can vary.

Punishments can be severe, which is why you need the best criminal defense attorney. Depending on your industry, the crime involved, and how severe the conviction was, the following are just a few of the measures that the licensing board can take.

• Fines
• Probation
• Warning letters
• Diversion program requirements
• Supervision requirements
• Citations
• Restrictions on your license
• License suspension
• Substance abuse treatment
• Substance abuse education programs
• License revocation

Not all criminal cases automatically lead to the revocation of your license. This is why it’s so important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible so they can represent you throughout the investigation. Their goal is to have the investigation dropped, or to negotiate a significantly reduced penalty.

If you live in California, it is possible for you to get a contractor’s license in the state. The California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) doesn’t allow every person with a felony conviction in, but they do let most people get their contractor’s license.

To determine whether your application is accepted or not, they will look at the severity of the crime, how long it has been since the crime was committed, and evidence that you’ve been rehabilitated. The best option is to avoid a felony in the first place, which is why it’s so important to search for top criminal law firms near me if you’ve been charged with a crime.

The Second Chance Laws in California are known as the Fair Chance Act (GOV 12952) and the Clean Slate Act (SB 731). The Clean Slate Act allows you to get your record expunged or sealed in certain situations. Meanwhile, the Fair Chance Act keeps employers from asking about your criminal history when you apply for a job, except in very specific circumstances. Thanks to these types of laws, it is possible to get a second chance at life after a criminal conviction.

If you live in the state of California, your industry’s professional licensing board is allowed to revoke or suspend your license if you are convicted of a crime. Additionally, they can take other steps, such as issuing a fine or warning letter. Because of the severe repercussions, you should reach out to the best criminal defense attorney as soon as you are arrested for a crime.

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