Weaverville Professional License Defense Lawyer

Weaverville Professional License Defense Attorney

Professionals in the Town of Weaverville have the opportunity to serve this small community and other surrounding Buncombe County cities and towns. An administrative complaint or criminal investigation, however, can threaten the most accomplished professional history. A Weaverville professional license defense lawyer can provide support if you face a licensing board investigation.

Edwards Law, PLLC, practices professional license defense in Western North Carolina. Our knowledgeable attorney understands the ins and outs of the administrative investigation process. We do not rest until your case is resolved optimally.

Factors That Can Adversely Affect a Professional License in North Carolina

Occupations that require licensure in North Carolina include medical professions such as doctors, nurses, and dentists, as well as attorneys, accountants, and educators. A person’s status as a licensed professional can be threatened for the following reasons:

Failure To Comply With Licensing Requirements: Holders of professional licenses are often required to pay yearly fees and comply with continuing educational requirements. Failure to meet these requirements can temporarily affect a person’s license.

Professional Misconduct: Each licensed person is expected to carry out their work in accordance with ethical standards. Violating these standards can result in an administrative investigation and subsequent revocation or suspension of a professional license.

Fraud or Malpractice: An accusation of fraud or a malpractice claim against a professional can translate into irreparable career damage and may mean a person can no longer practice in Weaverville or throughout North Carolina.

Criminal Charges and Convictions: Licensing boards may carry out administrative actions against a professional with a criminal defense case, especially if the crime reflects moral conduct incompatible with the field. A person may also be barred from obtaining a professional license in North Carolina if they have multiple felony convictions.

If a professional faces an administrative investigation due to an accusation of professional misconduct, fraud, or malpractice, or if they have been accused or convicted of a crime in the state, they are highly advised to work with a knowledgeable, professional license defense attorney.

Potential Consequences Following a Professional License Administrative Investigation

Professional licensure in North Carolina is issued at the state level. Occupation-specific boards partly composed of professionals in the field are tasked with supervising and monitoring those licensed in the state, and they carry out investigations when an accusation is brought against one of their licensees.

Professional licensing administrative investigations have risen in some areas in North Carolina in the last several years. The North Carolina Medical Board, for instance, reported a 25% increase in the number of investigations from 2020 to 2021. The North Carolina Board of CPA Examiners also incurred almost triple their legal and investigative costs during the same period.

Though penalties are often specific to the licensing board, there are common potential actions that can be taken following an administrative hearing. These can include:

• Professional license suspension
• License surrender or termination
• Limitations to or conditions on a person’s license and practice
• Reprimands
• Public letters of concern

Though a license suspension or surrender are some of the toughest outcomes following an administrative investigation, public letters of concern or restrictions placed on your license can also negatively impact your livelihood, as the public has access to view a professional’s licensing records through a board’s website.

Edwards Law, PLLC, Supports You at Each Stage of the Licensing Board Investigation

Having a seasoned attorney by your side who has represented clients in the healthcare, legal, accounting, and other professional fields can give you peace of mind that your administrative investigation can be handled with the utmost care.

The knowledgeable team at Edwards Law, PLLC, has been representing clients in Weaverville and the surrounding Buncombe County communities for over a decade. We assist with most aspects of the professional licensure administrative investigation, including communicating with your board on your behalf, consulting experts, gathering evidence, and attending administrative hearings.

Many of the professional licensing boards are located in the Raleigh Metropolitan Area. Handling a case on your own may mean countless hours on the road between Weaverville and the state capital. You can save time and avoid significant delays and potential professional and financial hardship when you rely on a skilled Weaverville professional license defense lawyer to represent you in your case.

FAQs

Q: What Does a Professional License Defense Lawyer Do?

A: A professional license defense lawyer represents clients facing administrative investigations by their professional licensing board or who have been subjected to disciplinary actions or licensing denials. As a licensed professional, you have rights. An attorney ensures your rights to practice your profession are protected by adequately responding to investigations and representing you at licensing hearings.

Q: What Are Common Reasons for Disciplinary Actions by a Licensing Board?

A: Common reasons for disciplinary actions by a professional licensing board in North Carolina include professional misconduct or ethical violations. You may also face consequences if you are found to be impaired or suspected of substance abuse in a way that impacts your work. Those facing criminal charges or who have been convicted of a crime may also have their professional licenses restricted or terminated.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer if I Am Under Investigation?

A: It is important to work with a professional license defense attorney, even if you are just under investigation. Without the benefit of a seasoned attorney, you may be unsuccessful when facing the board’s legal team and experts. An attorney can help you present adequate evidence to challenge any accusation, securing a dismissal of a complaint or less serious consequences.

Q: What Happens During a Licensing Board Investigation?

A: A licensing board investigation is often initiated when a complaint against a licensed professional is filed by a member of the public, a co-worker, or another third party. Each board has a process through which they carry out their investigation, but it typically starts with requesting records and conducting interviews. Those facing a complaint are allowed to respond and cooperate throughout the investigation, which may include a hearing.

Contact Our Weaverville Professional License Defense Lawyer

A potential license suspension or restriction can feel like a tremendous blow after years of hard work. You should not leave your professional license defense to chance. Instead, place your trust in the hands of a skilled Weaverville professional license defense lawyer at Edwards Law, PLLC.

Edwards Law, PLLC, is a dedicated criminal defense law firm that serves professionals in Buncombe County and all throughout the North Carolina mountain region. Schedule a consultation today and learn more about how we can help.