California Department of Insurance License Defense Attorney

California Department of Insurance License Defense Lawyer

The California Department of Insurance, known as the CDI, licenses several hundred thousand Licensees in the State of California. Most California Licensees have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Department of Insurance. For Licensees who become part of the California Department of Insurance disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The CDI License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Licensees facing the California Department of Insurance disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced California Department of Insurance License Defense Attorney.

The California Department of Insurance issues the following types of licenses:

• Bail Agent
• Insurance Agent
• Insurance Adjustor

California Department of Insurance Investigation Defense Lawyer

The majority of California Department of Insurance investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, California Department of Insurance Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The California Department of Insurance utilizes non sworn civilian investigators to conduct non criminal investigations. The California Department of Insurance employs sworn Peace Officer Investigators to conduct criminal investigations against Licensees. 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 Department of Insurance disciplinary process. At the conclusion of a California Department of Insurance investigation, the Department has several options. The Department can choose to close the Complaint. The Department can choose to issue a Citation. The Department can also choose to refer the matter to the California DOI Legal Enforcement Office. The DOI Legal Enforcement Office will determine whether cause exists to file a formal disciplinary Accusation. In cases involving criminal conduct, the Department may refer the case to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution. If you are a licensee facing a California Department of Insurance investigation, contact a California Department of Insurance License Defense Attorney for representation.

California Department of Insurance Accusation Defense Attorney

A formal Accusation served on a California CDI licensee serves as notice to a licensee that the Department intends to revoke the license. The licensee, 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 licensee. A Default will result in the immediate Revocation of the license.

An Accusation is a serious matter that can result in the suspension or revocation of a DOI License in California. In many cases, it is possible for Licensees to reach a Stipulated Agreement with the DOI Legal Enforcement Office and the California Department of Insurance. 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). Licensees facing a California Department of Insurance Accusation should contact an experienced California Department of Insurance License Defense Attorney for representation. Common causes of action for disciplinary Accusations against Insurance Agents include:

California Department of Insurance 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 Department of Insurance can adopt, modify or reject the ALJ’s Proposed Decision. The California Department of Insurance 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 licensee 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 licensee 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 Licensees facing a California Department of Insurance Administrative Law Hearing need effective representation from a California Department of Insurance License Defense Lawyer.

California Department of Insurance License and Criminal Convictions

The California Department of Insurance can discipline licensees for criminal convictions. California Department of Insurance discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of a licensee. Common criminal offenses that can cause CDI License discipline are:

The California Department of Insurance and other law enforcement agencies also investigate criminal conduct by Licensees in the course and scope of their practice. Criminal investigations often involve Licensees engaged in Violations of Insurance License Regulations. In serious criminal cases against Licensees pending in Criminal Court, the California Department of Insurance and the California DOI Legal Enforcement Office may seek a California Penal Code § 23 Order against the licensee. A California Penal Code § 23 Order seeks to suspend a DOI License in Criminal Court.

Licensees facing criminal charges and Licensees who are convicted of criminal offenses need an experienced California Department of Insurance License Defense Attorney for representation in disciplinary proceedings before the California Department of Insurance.

California Department of Insurance Statement of Issues Attorney

The California Department of Insurance thoroughly investigates all applicants for CDI Licenses. The California Department of Insurance may deny a license to students and licensees from other states and countries. Most California Department of Insurance denials occur due to criminal convictions, financial problems or misstatements on the 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 DOI License should contact a California Department of Insurance License Denial Lawyer for representation in a California Department of Insurance Statement of Issues Hearing.

California Department of Insurance Petition for Reinstatement Lawyer

A Petition for Reinstatement allows Licensees who have received a DOI 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 License Reinstatement. Rehabilitation from past misconduct is the primary factor in a Petition for Reinstatement before the California Department of Insurance. A successful Petition for Reinstatement requires representation by an experienced California Department of Insurance License Defense Attorney.