Licensed Professionals Facing Criminal Charges
Your license and your freedom
are both on the line at once.
A criminal charge against a licensed professional is never just a criminal matter. It simultaneously triggers reporting obligations, licensing board investigations, and potential career-ending discipline — often on a faster timeline than the criminal case itself. Defending one without defending the other is not a strategy.
Coordinate Your Defense — Call NowThe Coordinated Defense Advantage
Why Ahmadpour Law is uniquely positioned
to defend your entire career
Most criminal defense attorneys understand the criminal case. Most licensing defense attorneys understand the administrative proceeding. Very few understand both — and fewer still know how decisions in the criminal case can directly damage the licensing case, and vice versa.
Sam Ahmadpour defends both simultaneously. His background as a former Los Angeles County Prosecutor of the Year, combined with his extensive experience in professional licensing defense across multiple boards and agencies, gives him an unusually complete picture of what his clients are facing.
He understands that a plea to a criminal charge — including some misdemeanors — can trigger reporting duties, a board investigation, or professional discipline, depending on the license and circumstances. That a board investigation moving quickly may require strategic decisions about the criminal case that no ordinary criminal defense attorney would anticipate. That the timing of disclosures, the framing of admissions, and the sequencing of proceedings can mean the difference between a client who keeps their license and one who doesn't.
This is not two-attorney work. It requires one attorney who fully understands both.
Learn more about professional licensing defense →Professionals we regularly defend
- Physicians and surgeons (Medical Board)
- Registered nurses and nurse practitioners
- Dentists and dental professionals
- Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
- Attorneys (State Bar reporting)
- CPAs and accountants (CBA)
- Real estate brokers and agents (DRE)
- Contractors and engineers (CSLB)
- Insurance professionals (CDI)
- Teachers and educators (CTC)
- Financial professionals (FINRA, SEC)
- Therapists and counselors (BBS)
The Two-Track Problem
Criminal charges and licensing proceedings
run on different clocks.
Understanding both timelines — and how they interact — is the foundation of an effective coordinated defense.
Mandatory Reporting Obligations
Most licensing boards require self-reporting of criminal arrests, charges, or convictions within 30 days — sometimes less. Missing a reporting deadline can itself constitute a separate licensing violation. Sam ensures clients understand their obligations and comply strategically.
The Criminal Plea Trap
A plea that resolves a criminal case quickly may create serious licensing consequences. What looks like an efficient criminal resolution can carry separate professional risks, so the licensing implications of a proposed disposition should be evaluated before it is accepted.
Board Investigation Timing
Licensing boards often move faster than courts. An accusation can be filed, a hearing scheduled, and a license suspended — all while the criminal case is still in early stages. Waiting for the criminal case to resolve before addressing the board is rarely the right approach.
Common Questions
Clear answers for an important decision.
Can a criminal case affect a professional license?
Yes. A charge, conviction, or underlying conduct may create reporting duties or lead to a licensing-board inquiry, depending on the profession and circumstances.
Should I answer a licensing-board inquiry before speaking with counsel?
Statements and documents submitted to a board can affect both licensing and criminal proceedings. Obtain advice about deadlines and response strategy before making substantive admissions.
Why coordinate criminal and licensing defense?
A resolution that appears favorable in criminal court may have separate licensing consequences. Coordinated advice helps evaluate both proceedings before important decisions are made.
These general answers are not legal advice. The facts, deadlines, and available options depend on the individual matter.
Speak With Sam Ahmadpour
Your license is your livelihood.
Defend it from day one.
Sam Ahmadpour has defended licensed professionals across medicine, law, real estate, finance, and beyond. Call now for a confidential consultation that addresses both the criminal charges and your professional license simultaneously.
Schedule a Confidential Consultation Or call directly: 424-226-7810