Los Angeles Teacher License Defense Attorney

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, known as the CCTC, licenses several hundred thousand Teachers in the State of California. Most Los Angeles Teachers have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. For Teachers who become part of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Teacher License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Teachers facing the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced Los Angeles Teacher License Defense Attorney.

California CTC Investigation Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

The majority of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing utilizes non sworn civilian investigators to conduct non criminal investigations. This unit is called the Division of Professional Practices (DPP). The California CTC partners with local law enforcement to conduct criminal investigations against Teachers. 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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing disciplinary process. At the conclusion of a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing investigation, the Committee of Credentials (COC) will recommend discipline to the Commission. The Commission often holds Informal Hearings in Sacramento to allow the Respondent the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Commission can choose to close the Complaint. The Commission can choose to issue a Private Admonition, Public Reproval, Suspension or Revocation. An Appeal of the Commission’s decision will result in a referral of the matter to the California Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office will file a formal disciplinary Accusation. In cases involving criminal conduct, the Commission may refer the case to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution. If you are a Teacher facing a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing investigation, contact a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Attorney for representation.

Los Angeles Teacher License Accusation Defense Attorney

A formal Accusation served on a Los Angeles Teacher serves as notice to a Teacher that the Board intends to revoke the Teacher License. The Teacher, 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 Teacher. A Default will result in the immediate Revocation of the Teacher License.

An Accusation is a serious matter that can result in the suspension or revocation of a Teacher License in California. In many cases, it is possible for Teachers to reach a Stipulated Agreement with the Attorney General’s Office and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 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). Teachers facing a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Accusation should contact an experienced Los Angeles Teacher License Defense Attorney for representation. Common causes of action for disciplinary Accusations against Teachers include:

Los Angeles Teacher License Hearing Attorney

The California Office of Administrative Hearings, also known as OAH, maintains several Court Hearing locations. One of these Court locations is located in Downtown Los Angeles. The OAH Los Angeles Office serves Los Angeles County, Inyo County, Kern County, Santa Barbara County and Ventura County. In addition, the Court venue for California Commission on Teacher Credentialing disciplinary matters occurring in portions of Orange County, Riverside County and San Bernardino County is the OAH Office in Los Angeles. 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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing can adopt, modify or reject the ALJ’s Proposed Decision. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’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 a Teacher 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 Teacher 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. Los Angeles Teachers facing a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Administrative Law Hearing need effective representation from a Los Angeles Teacher License Defense Lawyer.

Los Angeles Teacher License and Criminal Convictions

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing can discipline Teachers for criminal convictions. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of a Teacher. Common criminal offenses that can cause Teacher License discipline are:

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and other law enforcement agencies also investigate criminal conduct by Teachers in the course and scope of their practice. Criminal investigations often involve Teachers engaged in Child Abuse and Sex Offenses. In serious criminal cases against Teachers pending in Criminal Court, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the California Attorney General’s Office may seek a California Penal Code § 23 Order against the Teacher. A California Penal Code § 23 Order seeks to suspend a Teacher License in Criminal Court. Teachers facing criminal charges and Teachers who are convicted of criminal offenses need an experienced Los Angeles Teacher License Defense Attorney for representation in disciplinary proceedings before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Los Angeles Teacher License Statement of Issues Attorney

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing thoroughly investigates all applicants for Teacher Licenses. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing may deny a Los Angeles Teacher License to Teacher students and Teachers from other states and countries. Most Los Angeles Teacher License denials occur due to criminal convictions, financial problems or misstatements on the Teacher 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 a Teacher License should contact a Los Angeles Teacher License Denial Lawyer for representation in a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Statement of Issues Hearing.

CCTC Petition for Reinstatement Lawyer

A Petition for Reinstatement allows Teachers who have received a Teacher 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 Teacher License Reinstatement. Rehabilitation from past misconduct is the primary factor in a Petition for Reinstatement before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A successful Teacher License Petition for Reinstatement requires representation by an experienced Los Angeles Teacher License Defense Attorney.