Criminal Defense for Missouri Nurses
Nurses accused of misconduct may face multiple legal issues, including disciplinary complaints from the Board of Nursing and criminal charges. Dolley Law, LLC provides highly specialized legal counsel for Missouri nurses facing these complex situations. Traditional criminal defense attorneys in Missouri have little to no understanding of the implications that a criminal charge or conviction will have on a Missouri nurse's license. Dolley Law, LLC will implement a coordinated legal strategy that protects a nurse’s license and freedom.
The Impact of Criminal Charges on a Nurse’s License
Dolley Law, LLC provides comprehensive representation for nurses facing multiple legal issues. Criminal defense practice for nurses involves more than simply defending against the criminal charges. It means effectively providing legal counsel regarding the impact and implications criminal charges have on a nurse’s license and proceedings before the Missouri Board of Nursing. Being charged with a crime can be a nightmare. Adding possible discipline upon a nurse’s license can be overwhelming for any nurse. Nurses and other licensed professionals must consider whether to take a plea or risk defending the case at trial, knowing the potential impact a guilty plea or jury verdict would have on their licenses. Because of the heightened impact a criminal conviction may have on nurses’ licenses, nurses charged with crimes must obtain comprehensive representation for their criminal case and Board of Nursing complaint.
In Missouri, nurses may be unilaterally subject to discipline by the Board of Nursing after receiving certified record of a nurse pleading guilty to or being found guilty of an offense reasonably related to the qualifications, duties, or functions of a nurse. Nurses may also be subject to discipline for offenses involving fraud, dishonesty, violence, or moral turpitude. This includes felonies and misdemeanors and cases in which a nurse receives a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS). In these situations, the Board can bypass an evidentiary hearing before the Administrative Hearing Commission and go straight to a disciplinary hearing based upon certified court records of a nurse’s guilty plea or conviction.
Criminal charges can result in discipline ranging from probation to license revocation. In certain situations, such as sexual or drug offenses, the Board can seek emergency suspension of a nurse’s license. Time is critical in these situations to ensure you protect your license and remain free.
Attorneys with Nursing and Criminal Law Experience
We encourage nurses who are under investigation for a criminal charge or under investigation before the Missouri Board of Nursing to contact our Firm as soon as possible. Do not go through the criminal process blindly without understanding how a conviction could impact your Missouri nursing license.
Cases against nurses frequently start when an employer makes a report to the Board or to the police. Nurses may be contacted by an officer or a Board investigator. Decisions made during these investigations effect the ultimate outcome of the criminal and disciplinary case. Nurses need representation from the very beginning of the process from an attorney with criminal law and nursing law experience.
Dolley Law, LLC is dedicated to defeating criminal charges for Missouri nurses and protecting their licenses and careers. Mr. Dolley has experience in representing clients who are under investigation before such agencies as the FBI, DEA, Postal Inspector, local police and Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Firm has successfully avoided or reduced criminal charges for many nurses while also protecting their ability to continue working.
In some situations, criminal charges come first and the Board then takes action against a nurse’s license. Other times, criminal charges can result from findings made during the Board investigation and disciplinary process. Traditional criminal defense attorneys often lack the experience needed to identify these issues and the threat they pose to nurses. Similarly, many attorneys who do not practice criminal law fail to understand that the disciplinary process can expose a nurse to criminal prosecution. If you are facing allegations of theft, narcotic diversion, sexual misconduct, or drug possession, you need an attorney who understands criminal and nursing law.
Criminal Cases We Handle for Missouri Nurses
The firm defends Missouri nurses charged with state felonies and misdemeanors, including:
- Assault;
- Possession of a Controlled Substance;
- Fraudulent Attempt to Obtain a Controlled Substance;
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI);
- Stealing;
- Stealing a Controlled Substance;
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child;
- Medicare/Medicaid Investigations;
- Sexual Offenses.
Contact Us
If you are a Missouri nurse under investigation for or charged with a crime, or if the Board has accused you of misconduct that could lead to criminal charges, contact Dolley Law, LLC at (314) 645-4100 or by email at kevin@dolleylaw.com.