Perhaps you had a drink with dinner before driving home and the police pull you over and accuse you of drunk driving. Or maybe you were in a crash, a passenger died, and the police claim that your dangerous driving led to the death and are considering manslaughter charges. Or maybe police find questionable websites or pictures on your phone. These are just a few examples that could lead to an arrest that may leave you with many questions about your future.
An arrest is serious for anyone, but those within the medical profession can face more than just criminal charges — they can also lose their professional license.
Can I really lose my nursing license for a criminal offense?
It will generally depend on the allegations. In a recent example, enforcement officers arrested a nurse in a group of over one hundred as part of a sting operation in North Texas. The allegations are connected to felony sex offenses. The Texas Board of Nursing may choose to deny licensure for those who have a felony conviction, as could be the case in this example.
Other crimes that generally qualify for disqualification of a nursing license in Texas can include:
- Abandonment or endangerment of a child
- Aiding suicide
- Possession of child pornography
- A second indecent exposure offense
- Manslaughter
- Sexual assault
- Unlawful restraint
The state gives the Board discretion to consider a denial for offenses not included on the list.
What are my options?
You can fight back. It is important to take the allegations and any impending Board investigation seriously. Just like you get a lawyer to defend against criminal charges, it is often wise to get a lawyer to provide defense during a Board investigation. An attorney experienced in nursing license defense in these situations can review your case and discuss your options.
Attorney John Rivas is responsible for this communication.