California Occupational Therapist License Defense Attorney

California Board of Occupational Therapy License Defense Lawyer

The California Board of Occupational Therapy, known as the BOT, licenses approximately 5,000 Occupational Therapists in the State of California. Most California Occupational Therapists have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Board of Occupational Therapy. For Occupational Therapists who become part of the California Board of Occupational Therapy’s disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Occupational Therapist License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Occupational Therapists facing the California Board of Occupational Therapy disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced California Occupational Therapist License Defense Attorney.

California Board of Occupational Therapy Investigation Defense Lawyer

The majority of California Board of Occupational Therapy investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, California Board of Occupational Therapy Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The California Board of Occupational Therapy utilizes non sworn civilian investigators to conduct non criminal investigations. The California Department of Consumer Affairs employs sworn Peace Officer Investigators to conduct criminal investigations against Occupational Therapists. These employees investigate criminal and administrative law violations. Administrative Law Due Process Rights differ substantially from the Due Process Rights accorded in criminal law.

It is important to have an attorney that understands the California Board of Occupational Therapy disciplinary process. At the conclusion of a California Board of Occupational Therapy investigation, the Board has several options. The Board can choose to close the Complaint. The Board can choose to issue a Citation. The Board can also choose to refer the matter to the California Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office will determine whether cause exists to file a formal disciplinary Accusation. In cases involving criminal conduct, the Board may refer the case to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

If you are an Occupational Therapist facing a California Board of Occupational Therapy investigation, contact a California Occupational Therapist License Defense Attorney for representation.

California Occupational Therapist License Accusation Defense Attorney

A formal Accusation served on a California Occupational Therapist serves as notice to an Occupational Therapist that the Board intends to revoke the Occupational Therapist License. The Occupational Therapist, now called the Respondent, has only 15 days from the date that the Accusation was served (not received, but served) to file a Notice of Defense. The failure to file a Notice of Defense results in a Default against the Occupational Therapist. A Default will result in the immediate Revocation of the Occupational Therapist License.

An Accusation is a serious matter that can result in the suspension or revocation of an Occupational Therapist License in California. In many cases, it is possible for Occupational Therapists to reach a Stipulated Agreement with the Attorney General’s Office and California Board of Occupational Therapy. A Stipulated Agreement is a formal term for a settlement agreement. If a Stipulated Agreement cannot be reached, the parties will proceed to a formal Hearing before the California Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).

Occupational Therapists facing a California Board of Occupational Therapy Accusation should contact an experienced California Occupational Therapist License Defense Attorney for representation. Common causes of action for disciplinary Accusations against Occupational Therapists include:

California Occupational Therapist License Hearing Attorney

The California Office of Administrative Hearings, also known as OAH, maintains several Court Hearing locations. These Court locations are in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego. In some instances, Hearings may be held offsite in Bakersfield, Fresno, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose or Ventura. The Administrative Law Hearing is a formal Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

The Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, will issue a written Proposed Decision approximately 30 days after the Hearing. The California Board of Occupational Therapy can adopt, modify or reject the ALJ’s Proposed Decision. The California Board of Occupational Therapy’s action is called the Final Decision and Order. There are two main rights of Appeal of a Final Decision and Order. California Government Code § 11521 allows an Occupational Therapist to file a Petition for Reconsideration prior to the effective date of the Final Decision and Order. Pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.5, the Occupational Therapist can also file a Petition for Writ of Mandamus in Superior Court. A Writ must be filed within 30 days of the effective date of the Final Decision and Order.

California Occupational Therapists facing a California Board of Occupational Therapy Administrative Law Hearing need effective representation from a California Occupational Therapist License Defense Lawyer.

California Occupational Therapist License and Criminal Convictions

The California Board of Occupational Therapy can discipline Occupational Therapists for criminal convictions. California Board of Occupational Therapy discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of an Occupational Therapist. Common criminal offenses that can cause Occupational Therapist License discipline are:

The California Board of Occupational Therapy and other law enforcement agencies also investigate criminal conduct by Occupational Therapists in the course and scope of their practice. Criminal investigations often involve Occupational Therapists engaged in Insurance Fraud, Unlawful Practice of Medicine and Unlawful Representation as a Physician. In serious criminal cases against Occupational Therapists pending in Criminal Court, the California Board of Occupational Therapy and the California Attorney General’s Office may seek a California Penal Code § 23 Order against the Occupational Therapist. A California Penal Code § 23 Order seeks to suspend an Occupational Therapist License in Criminal Court.

Occupational Therapists facing criminal charges and Occupational Therapists who are convicted of criminal offenses need an experienced California Occupational Therapist License Defense Attorney for representation in disciplinary proceedings before the California Board of Occupational Therapy.

California Occupational Therapist License Statement of Issues Attorney

The California Board of Occupational Therapy thoroughly investigates all applicants for Occupational Therapist Licenses. The California Board of Occupational Therapy may deny a California Occupational Therapist License to Occupational Therapist students and Occupational Therapists from other states and countries. Most California Occupational Therapist License denials occur due to criminal convictions, financial problems or misstatements on the Occupational Therapist License application. Statement of Issues Hearings and Accusation Hearings before the Office of Administrative Hearings maintain a similar procedure. However, in a Statement of Issues Hearing, the applicant bears the burden of proof. Individuals denied an Occupational Therapist License should contact a California Occupational Therapist License Denial Lawyer for representation in a California Board of Occupational Therapy Statement of Issues Hearing.

California Occupational Therapist Petition for Reinstatement Lawyer

A Petition for Reinstatement allows Occupational Therapists who have received an Occupational Therapist License Revocation to reinstate their License. The Petition for Reinstatement must show by clear and convincing evidence the factual and legal reasons to warrant the Occupational Therapist License Reinstatement. Rehabilitation from past misconduct is the primary factor in a Petition for Reinstatement before the California Board of Occupational Therapy. A successful Occupational Therapist License Petition for Reinstatement requires representation by an experienced California Occupational Therapist License Defense Attorney.