If I’m a Healthcare Professional and I’m Charged with a Crime, is my Career Over?

In order to be a healthcare professional here in Minnesota, you have to sacrifice a lot. Think about the time, effort and yes, money that you had to put out to make that happen. All of this to get that coveted professional license, to be the professional that you are.

One of the obligations that frequently comes with that license is that you are held to a higher standard than others who don’t have one. That sometimes may not seem fair but there it is. However, what happens if somebody puts all of that at risk? Specifically, what happens if somebody claims that you committed a crime? If you are facing criminal charges, it is critical to not only know what the crime means but how it could impact your job, you life. Sit down with an experienced St. Paul based criminal defense attorney immediately. Contact Jack Rice Defense for a free confidential consultation. Call 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339.

Simply put, you have more to lose.

Criminal charges can be brutal for anybody who faces them. They bring potential prison or jail, fines and more. For the healthcare profession, the potential is far worse. Criminal charges could trigger disciplinary action against you by your Professional Board here in Minnesota. In other words, you could also face the potential suspension or even loss of that coveted license and along with it, your career, your source of income, your livelihood, everything. Addressing those criminal charges is absolutely critical.

Medical Boards frequently refer to it as misconduct. If you are facing criminal charges, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Disciplinary action can apply to dozens of professional occupations that provide healthcare directly to people. The State of Minnesota regulates dozens of these occupations and has the potential to control who keeps a license and who doesn’t.

While there are specific professional Boards that may address discipline and misconduct coming from criminal charges, there are also several statutes that apply to health occupations discipline matters (e.g., Minn. Stat. §§ 13.41, 214.10, and 214.103), see below for specific statutes that expressly apply to particular occupations. Is one of the professions below yours? If so, click the link for more, whether it be license suspension or even revocation..  

Acupuncture Practitioner

Board of Medical Practice and Acupuncture Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 147B.07 (147.091 to 147.162)

Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

Minn. Stat. §§ 148F.09, subd. 1;148F.055, subd. 1;148F.075, subd. 7;148F.105; 148.12, subd. 3; 148F.205

Athletic Trainer

Board of Medical Practice and Athletic Trainers Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. § 148.7813, subd. 5

Audiologist

Health Department and Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. § 148.5195, subd. 3

Chiropractor

Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Minn. Stat. §§ 148.10, subds. 1, 5, 7; 148.105, subd. 1

Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Dental Assistant, Dental Therapist, Advanced Dental Therapist

Board of Dentistry

Minn. Stat. §§ 150A.08, subds 1, 9;150A.10, subds. 1, 2; 150A.105, subd. 3; 150A.11

Dietitian

Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice

Minn. Stat. § 148.629

Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic

Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board

Minn. Stat. § 144E.28, subd. 5

First Responder

Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board

Minn. Stat. §§ 144E.27, subd. 5

Genetic Counselor

Board of Medical Practice and Licensed Genetic Counselor Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 147F.13; 147.091 to 147.162

Hearing Instrument Dispenser

Health Department and Hearing Instrument Dispenser Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 153A.15, subd. 1;153A.14, subd. 4

Licensed professional counselor, licensed professional clinical counselor

Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy

Minn. Stat. § 148B.59

Marriage and Family Therapist

Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Minn. Stat. §§ 148B.12, subd. 2;148B.32; 148B.37, subd. 1

Midwife (traditional)

Board of Medical Practice and Advisory Council on Licensed Traditional Midwifery

Minn. Stat. §§ 147D.23 (147.091 to 147.162)

Mortuary science practitioner

Health Department

Minn. Stat. §§ 149A.09, subd. 1;149A.60; 149A.63;149A.70, subds. 3 to 7; 149A.97, subd. 12

Nurse

Board of Nursing

Minn. Stat. §§ 148.261; 148.281

Nutritionist

Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice

Minn. Stat. § 148.629

Occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant

Health Department and Occupational Therapy Practitioners Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 148.6403, subd. 6;148.6443, subd. 8;148.6448, subd. 1

Optometrist

Board of Optometry

Minn. Stat. §§ 148.56; 148.57, subd. 3; 148.574

Orthotist, prosthetist, pedorthist

Board of Podiatric Medicine and Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. § 153B.70

Pharmacist

Board of Pharmacy

1Minn. Stat. §§ 51.06, subds. 1, 1a, 1b; 151.071; 151.15;151.17;151.18; 151.21;151.23; 151.24;151.33; 151.34;151.37;151.40

Physical Therapist

Board of Physical Therapy

Minn. Stat. §§ 148.75; 148.76

Physician Assistant

Board of Medical Practice and Physician Assistant Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 147A.05; 147A.13, subd. 1

Physician, Osteopath

Board of Medical Practice

Minn. Stat. §§ 147.035, subd. 2;147.081, subd. 1;147.091, subds. 1, 1a,1b, 2,7

Podiatrist

Board of Podiatric Medicine

Minn. Stat. §§ 153.17; 153.19

Psychologist

Board of Psychology

Minn. Stat. § 148.941, subd. 2

Registered Naturopathic Doctor

Board of Medical Practice and Registered Naturopathic Doctor Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 147E.05, subd. 2;147E.10, subd. 1;147 E.30 (147.091 to 147.162)

Respiratory Care Practitioner

Board of Medical Practice and Respiratory Care Practitioner Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 147C.10; 147C.30(147.091 to 147.162)

Social Worker

Board of Social Work

Minn. Stat. §§ 148E.055, subd. 8;148E.190; 148E.205;148E.210; 148E.220; 148E.235, subds. 2 to 4; 148E.240; 148E.250, subd. 2;148E.275; 148E.280

Speech Pathologist

Health Department and Speech-Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Council

Minn. Stat. §§ 148.5195, subd. 3

Unlicensed complementary and alternative health care practitioner

Health Department and Office of Unlicensed Complementary and Alternative Health Care Practice

Minn. Stat. § 146A.08, subd. 1

If you are a healthcare professional and are facing criminal charges, you need to know what you are facing. If its just the criminal charges, thats important. What about your career, your livelihood? Is this almost at risk? You need to know. Sit down with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Jack Rice, the Founder of Jack Rice Defense is a former prosecutor, Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and an experienced Minnesota Professional Healthcare criminal defense attorney.  If you are concerned about a possible charge, sit down with Jack for a free consultation.