At Sanders & Nettles, we are dedicated to providing an aggressive, complete defense to all of our clients. Thanks to our decades defending people accused of serious crimes in South Carolina, we have the experience and knowledge to help clients who are facing serious accusations that could affect their professional licenses. We will work to protect your license, defend your reputation and get you the best possible outcome to your civil and any criminal cases.
Licensing board hearings aren't criminal courts. But for thousands of licensed professionals in South Carolina, their decisions can be almost as devastating as a criminal conviction. Our state's 37 professional boards have the power to issue public reprimands, levy steep fines, put their licensees on probation or suspend or revoke a license. These actions can have catastrophic consequences for licensees' businesses, employees, families and careers. Without a professional license, experienced professionals with high-demand skills are left without a legal way to practice their own trades and earn a living. Even a public reprimand can scare potential clients, patients or employers, hurting your reputation, your opportunities and ultimately, your bottom line.
Disciplinary actions can be started independently by a complaint from a dissatisfied patient, client, employee, colleague, partner or even a spouse. They may also be triggered by criminal charges related to fraud, theft, DWI or controlled substances. In either case, the board's disciplinary action is separate from any criminal proceedings. That means winning your criminal case is no guarantee that you'll keep your license -- and vice versa. In fact, the civil process can be highly bureaucratic and require just as much preparation and specialized knowledge as a criminal trial. Even when the accusations are meritless, professional advice can make a big difference.
That's why it's so important to hire a knowledgeable, experienced licensing professional, like the lawyers at Sanders & Nettles, to help you make your best case at the hearing. If you're facing criminal charges as well, our experienced Charleston criminal defense attorneys can handle both cases efficiently and professionally. Sanders & Nettles defends members of all 139 professions in South Carolina that are regulated by the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, including:
- Doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical professionals.
- Massage therapists.
- Cosmetologists and barbers.
- Psychologists and family therapists.
- Accountants.
- Engineers.
- Real estate agents and appraisers.
As licensed professionals themselves, the lawyers at Sanders & Nettles understand that your professional license is your livelihood. Professional licenses are the result of hard work, specialized knowledge and years of reputation-building. Licensees should never let them go without a fight.
If you're facing a professional board's disciplinary hearing in South Carolina, with or without a parallel criminal case, call the experienced South Carolina defense attorneys at Sanders & Nettles. We specialize in defending people who are accused of wrongdoing -- including all the white-collar, controlled-substances and sex crimes that may land defendants in front of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. We are dedicated to aggressively protecting the rights of all of our clients, no matter what the accusation. Our goal is always to protect your freedom, your finances and your family.