Do Medical Professionals Have to Report Arrests to Medical Boards in Illinois?
No matter where you are in life or what your profession is, anyone can find themselves dealing with some kind of legal issue, whether it has to do with being charged with a DUI, stealing medications, fraud, or domestic violence. While these criminal accusations are serious for any individual, they can have even more dire consequences for an individual who holds a professional license. If you are a licensed professional in the state of Illinois and have concerns or questions regarding what you are required to notify the licensing board that oversees your profession, you should speak with an Illinois professional license defense attorney.
What Charges Need to Be Disclosed?
When a person who holds a professional license is charged with a crime, one of the first factors that need to be examined is whether the crime is related in any way to their profession. In the case of a medical professional stealing prescription medications from patients, that relation is pretty clear. There are other charges that are not so clear. For example, if a doctor is arrested for drunk driving, they may not feel this is something they need to report because it was not connected to their position.
However, the Illinois Medical Board may feel differently. When a person is arrested for DUI, it can sometimes indicate an alcohol problem. Although not every person arrested for drunk driving is an alcoholic, the board will likely initiate an investigation to determine if there is evidence of an alcohol problem – something that could be very dangerous for the patients the doctor is treating.
Each professional board that falls under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has its own set of discipline rules that stipulate what incidents a licensee must report. These do include violations of law. Any report will likely result in the board initiating an investigation of the licensee. Depending on the circumstances of the charges, that investigation could result in disciplinary action or even revocation of the individual’s professional license. This is why it is crucial to consult with a professional license defense attorney before submitting any report to the board that covers your license.
Contact an Illinois Professional License Attorney Today
If you hold a professional license in the state of Illinois and you have been charged with a crime, not only could there be serious ramifications criminally, but these charges could also have a severe impact on your professional life. Call The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. today at [[phone] to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned Illinois professional license lawyer to find out what legal options you have to defend yourself against these charges.
Source:
https://www.idfpr.com/FAQ/DPR/FAQs%20for%20Licensees.pdf