Understanding Criminal Charges and Professional Licensing in Minnesota
If you hold a professional license in Minnesota, a criminal charge may carry collateral consequences far beyond fines and potential jail time: your license to practice may be in jeopardy as well.
Minnesota health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists, and other practitioners, must be licensed by the applicable Minnesota state health-related licensing boards, the Department of Human Services (DHS), or the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). To qualify for a license, Minnesota law requires that all Minnesota health-related licensing boards conduct a criminal background check on applicants annually. DHS and MDH conduct similar background studies.
DHS/MDH licenses may be denied for a host of reasons, including:
Arrests and dismissed criminal charges
Criminal convictions
Maltreatment
Termination of parental rights
Welfare fraud
Similarly, the health license boards are permitted to take disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or revocation of a professional license, for dozens of reasons such as:
Conviction of a crime
Unethical or improper conduct
Conduct likely to harm the public
Becoming addicted to drugs
Sexual misconduct
Disqualification timeframes can range anywhere from seven years to permanent disqualification, depending on the type of offense, and your professional license may be in jeopardy even if you are not convicted of a crime. The standard that DHS, MDH, and the licensing boards may use to disqualify a license-holder is much lower than the criminal burden of proof, and in disqualification cases, the “burden” is on the license-holder to show they did not act in a way that disqualifies them.
You Need the Help of an Experienced Minnesota Medial Board Attorney
Challenging a disqualification involves complicated procedures and strict deadlines. But you don’t have to face this overwhelming process alone. If your professional license is at risk, it is imperative that you speak with an experienced health license attorney. The seasoned lawyers at Sieben Edmunds Miller PLLC have had past success in reversing license disqualifications. Contact us today at 651-323-2464 to discuss your case.
If you’re facing a criminal charge, you can trust the experienced Minnesota lawyers at Sieben Edmunds Miller to advocate for you. We proudly serve the cities of Burnsville, Bloomington, Minneapolis, Woodbury, Eagan, Mendota Heights, St. Paul, Hastings, Hudson, and River Falls in Strangulation cases. We also serve surrounding cities in Dakota County and throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
