California Marriage and Family Therapist License Defense Attorney

California Board of Behavioral Sciences License Defense Lawyer

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences, known as the BBS, licenses approximately 41,000 Marriage and Family Therapists in the State of California. Most California Marriage and Family Therapists have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. For Marriage and Family Therapists who become part of the California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Marriage and Family Therapist License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Marriage and Family Therapists facing the California Board of Behavioral Sciences disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced California Marriage and Family Therapist License Defense Attorney.

California Board of Behavioral Sciences Investigation Defense Lawyer

The majority of California Board of Behavioral Sciences investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences 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 Marriage and Family 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 Behavioral Sciences disciplinary process. At the conclusion of a California Board of Behavioral Sciences 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 a Marriage and Family Therapist facing a California Board of Behavioral Sciences investigation, contact a California Marriage and Family Therapist License Defense Attorney for representation.

California Marriage and Family Therapist License Accusation Defense Attorney

A formal Accusation served on a California Marriage and Family Therapist serves as notice to a Marriage and Family Therapist that the Board intends to revoke the Marriage and Family Therapist License. The Marriage and Family 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 Marriage and Family Therapist. A Default will result in the immediate Revocation of the Marriage and Family Therapist License.

An Accusation is a serious matter that can result in the suspension or revocation of a Marriage and Family Therapist License in California. In many cases, it is possible for Marriage and Family Therapists to reach a Stipulated Agreement with the Attorney General’s Office and California Board of Behavioral Sciences. 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).

Marriage and Family Therapists facing a California Board of Behavioral Sciences Accusation should contact an experienced California Marriage and Family Therapist License Defense Attorney for representation. Common causes of action for disciplinary Accusations against Marriage and Family Therapists include:

California MFT 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 Behavioral Sciences can adopt, modify or reject the ALJ’s Proposed Decision. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ 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 Marriage and Family 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 Marriage and Family 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 Marriage and Family Therapists facing a California Board of Behavioral Sciences Administrative Law Hearing need effective representation from a California Marriage and Family Therapist License Defense Lawyer.

California Marriage and Family Therapist License and Criminal Convictions

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences can discipline Marriage and Family Therapists for criminal convictions. California Board of Behavioral Sciences discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of a Marriage and Family Therapist. Common criminal offenses that can cause Marriage and Family Therapist License discipline are:

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

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

California MFT License Statement of Issues Attorney

The California Board of Behavioral Sciences thoroughly investigates all applicants for Marriage and Family Therapist Licenses. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences may deny a California Marriage and Family Therapist License to Marriage and Family Therapist students and Marriage and Family Therapists from other states and countries. Most California Marriage and Family Therapist License denials occur due to criminal convictions, financial problems or misstatements on the Marriage and Family 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 a Marriage and Family Therapist License should contact a California Marriage and Family Therapist License Denial Lawyer for representation in a California Board of Behavioral Sciences Statement of Issues Hearing.

California Marriage and Family Therapist Petition for Reinstatement Lawyer

A Petition for Reinstatement allows Marriage and Family Therapists who have received a Marriage and Family 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 Marriage and Family Therapist License Reinstatement. Rehabilitation from past misconduct is the primary factor in a Petition for Reinstatement before the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. A successful Marriage and Family Therapist License Petition for Reinstatement requires representation by an experienced California Marriage and Family Therapist License Defense Attorney.