California Professional License Defense Attorney

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California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Attorney

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Lawyer

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, known as the CTC, licenses several hundred thousand Teachers in the State of California. Most California Teachers have minimal or no contact with the enforcement arm of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. For Teachers who become part of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing disciplinary process, the consequences are profound. The Teacher License disciplinary process is complex, procedural and time consuming. Teachers facing the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing disciplinary process should seek legal representation from an experienced California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Attorney.

California CTC Investigation Defense Lawyer

The majority of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Investigations begin with the filing of a consumer Complaint. However, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Investigations also occur through sting operations, criminal conviction referrals and criminal investigations. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing utilizes non sworn civilian investigators to conduct non criminal investigations. This unit is called the Division of Professional Practices (DPP). The California CTC partners with local law enforcement to conduct criminal investigations against Teachers. 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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing disciplinary process. At the conclusion of a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing investigation, the Committee of Credentials (COC) will recommend discipline to the Commission. The Commission often holds Informal Hearings in Sacramento to allow the Respondent the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Commission can choose to close the Complaint. The Commission can choose to issue a Private Admonition, Public Reproval, Suspension or Revocation. An Appeal of the Commission’s decision will result in a referral of the matter to the California Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office will file a formal disciplinary Accusation. In cases involving criminal conduct, the Commission may refer the case to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution. If you are a Teacher facing a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing investigation, contact a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Attorney for representation.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Accusation Defense Attorney

A formal Accusation served on a California Teacher serves as notice to a Teacher that the Commission intends to revoke the Teacher License. The Teacher, 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 Teacher. A Default will result in the immediate Revocation of the Teacher License.

An Accusation is a serious matter that can result in the suspension or revocation of a Teacher License in California. In many cases, it is possible for Teachers to reach a Stipulated Agreement with the Attorney General’s Office and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 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). Teachers facing a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Accusation should contact an experienced California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Attorney for representation.

Common violations that can cause Teacher License discipline are:

  • Assaulting a Student
  • Battery to a Student
  • Bullying
  • Corporal Punishment
  • Criminal Threats
  • Cyber Bullying
  • Cyber Sexual Bullying
  • Drug Sales
  • Extortion
  • Fighting
  • Harassment
  • Hate Crimes
  • Hazing
  • Gang Activity
  • Gang Clothing
  • Gang Paraphernalia
  • Inappropriate Contact With Students on Social Media
  • Intimidation
  • Lewd Conduct
  • Obscene Behavior
  • Providing Alcohol to Minors
  • Public Intoxication
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Sexual Relations With a Student
  • Stalking
  • Terrorist Threats
  • Theft of School Property
  • Trespass
  • Vandalism to School Property

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Hearing Attorney

The California Office of Administrative Hearings, also known as OAH, maintains several Court Hearing locations. These Court locations are in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and San Diego. In some instances, Hearings may be held offsite in Bakersfield, Fresno, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose or Ventura. 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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing can adopt, modify or reject the ALJ’s Proposed Decision. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’ 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 a Teacher 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 Teacher 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. California Teachers facing a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Administrative Law Hearing need effective representation from a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Lawyer.

California CTC Credential and Criminal Convictions

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing can discipline Teachers for criminal convictions. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing discipline occurs for criminal convictions that are substantially related to the duties, functions and qualifications of a Teacher. Common criminal offenses that can cause Teacher 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 Commission on Teacher Credentialing and other law enforcement agencies also investigate criminal conduct by Teachers in the course and scope of their practice. Criminal investigations often involve Teachers engaged in Child Abuse, Child Endangerment or Sex Crimes Involving Students. In serious criminal cases against Teachers pending in Criminal Court, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the California Attorney General’s Office may seek a California Penal Code § 23 Order against the Teacher. A California Penal Code § 23 Order seeks to suspend a Teacher License in Criminal Court.

Teachers facing criminal charges and Teachers who are convicted of criminal offenses need an experienced California Teacher License Defense Attorney for representation in disciplinary proceedings before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Statement of Issues Attorney

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing thoroughly investigates all applicants for Teacher Licenses. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing may deny a California Teacher License to Teacher students and Teachers from other states and countries. Most California Teacher License denials occur due to criminal convictions, financial problems or misstatements on the Teacher 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 a Teacher License should contact a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Denial Lawyer for representation in a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Statement of Issues Hearing.

CCTC Petition for Reinstatement Lawyer

A Petition for Reinstatement allows Teachers who have received a Teacher 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 Teacher License Reinstatement. Rehabilitation from past misconduct is the primary factor in a Petition for Reinstatement before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A successful Teacher License Petition for Reinstatement requires representation by an experienced California Commission on Teacher Credentialing License Defense Attorney.