California Professional License Defense Attorney

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Los Angeles Engineer License Defense Attorney

California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists License Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

The California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists, known as the BPELSG, licenses approximately 50,000 Engineers in the State of California. Most Los Angeles Engineers have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. For Engineers who become part of the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists’ disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Engineer License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Engineers facing the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced Los Angeles Engineer License Defense Attorney.

There are numerous categories of Engineers licensed by the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. The categories of Engineers are:

  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Control System Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Fire Protection Engineer
  • Industrial Engineer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Metallurgical Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Professional Engineer
  • Structural Engineer
  • Traffic Engineer

California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Investigation Defense Lawyer in Los Angeles

The majority of California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists 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 Engineers. 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 Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists disciplinary process. At the conclusion of a California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists 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 Engineer facing a California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists investigation, contact a Los Angeles Engineer License Defense Attorney for representation.

Los Angeles Engineer License Accusation Defense Attorney

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

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

  • Aiding and Abetting Unlicensed Engineer Activity
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Failure to Communicate With the Client
  • Failure to Maintain Adequate Records
  • Failure to Maintain Responsible Charge
  • Failure to Sign a Written Contract
  • Fraud
  • Gross Negligence
  • Incompetence in the Practice of Engineering
  • Misrepresentation
  • Negligence in the Practice of Engineering
  • Repeated Negligent Acts
  • Renting an Engineer License
  • Unprofessional Conduct
  • Violation of Professional Engineers Act
  • Violation of Engineers Law

Los Angeles Engineer 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 Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists 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 Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists can adopt, modify or reject the ALJ’s Proposed Decision. The California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists’ 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 Engineer 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 Engineer 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 Engineers facing a California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Administrative Law Hearing need effective representation from a Los Angeles Engineer License Defense Lawyer.

Los Angeles Engineer License and Criminal Convictions

The California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists can discipline Engineers for criminal convictions. California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of an Engineer. Common criminal offenses that can cause Engineer License discipline are:

  • Altering or Forging a Prescription
  • Assault With a Deadly Weapon
  • Battery
  • Brandishing a Firearm
  • Burglary
  • Carrying a Concealed Weapon
  • Child Abuse
  • Child Endangerment
  • Diverting a Controlled Substance
  • Domestic Violence
  • DUI
  • Elder Abuse
  • False Imprisonment
  • Forgery
  • Fraud
  • Hit & Run
  • Identity Theft
  • Insurance Fraud
  • Medicare Fraud
  • Mortgage Fraud
  • Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance
  • Public Intoxication
  • Real Estate Fraud
  • Robbery
  • Sex Offenses
  • Theft
  • Trespass
  • Vandalism
  • Vehicular Manslaughter

The California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists and other law enforcement agencies also investigate criminal conduct by Engineers in the course and scope of their practice. Criminal investigations often involve Engineers engaged in Forgery, Theft, Trespass and Vandalism. In serious criminal cases against Engineers pending in Criminal Court, the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists and the California Attorney General’s Office may seek a California Penal Code § 23 Order against the Engineer. A California Penal Code § 23 Order seeks to suspend an Engineer License in Criminal Court. Engineers facing criminal charges and Engineers who are convicted of criminal offenses need an experienced Los Angeles Engineer License Defense Attorney for representation in disciplinary proceedings before the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

Los Angeles Engineer License Statement of Issues Attorney

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

Los Angeles Engineer Petition for Reinstatement Lawyer

A Petition for Reinstatement allows Engineers who have received an Engineer 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 Engineer License Reinstatement. Rehabilitation from past misconduct is the primary factor in a Petition for Reinstatement before the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. A successful Engineer License Petition for Reinstatement requires representation by an experienced Los Angeles Engineer License Defense Attorney.