As a professional, you understand how vital it is to your reputation, your livelihood, and even your family's well-being to stay on top of maintaining your professional license. When it comes time to renew your license, you make certain that you have filed all the paperwork with plenty of time to spare. If there are continuing education requirements that are a condition of your licensure, you plan your attendance at conferences or webinars so that you're not scrambling at the last minute to fulfill that obligation.

However, there is one scenario when a delay may work in your favor. That's when you are under investigation and at risk of potentially losing your professional license or having it suspended. Let's take a look at how time could be on your side in this situation.

First, Avoid the Investigator

An investigator working with the board that oversees your profession's licensing may call you or show up at your office, hoping to ask you a few questions about a problem that's been reported. Naturally, you're eager to clear things up, and you want to be seen as forthcoming and friendly.

That's not the best approach, however. The investigator isn't going to listen to your explanations and declare the matter resolved. These types of investigations must proceed according to a specific protocol, and claims you make off the cuff can come back to hurt you later on. So it's wisest to politely decline to make any statement or answer any question before you talk to an attorney.

An added bonus of playing it safe by clamming up until you have legal representation is that it will buy you some time.

Why Delay the Proceedings?

Most people, when they receive notice that there's a pending investigation against them for some type of professional misconduct, want to get the whole thing over and done with as soon as possible. But again, that's the wrong approach. Any delay you can finagle will ultimately help your case.

For one thing, it will give your attorney more time to fine-tune their defense. Joseph D. Lento goes to great lengths in license defense cases to mount his own investigation, draw up an outline of the approach, and of course, get as many details from you as possible. The more time he has, the more wisely he can use that time.

Additionally, there's the idea that the longer the case goes on, the less secure the accusers and the board members who will be adjudicating your actions will feel. Time has a funny way of distorting how we look at and remember events. Recollections dim; details seem unclear. Human memory is much less accurate than we like to admit. We conflate details, think we remember events that never even happened, and attribute causation where none exists.

Lastly, delays are beneficial because you can keep practicing or working during the process. Once the board or oversight agency revokes or suspends your license, you will have to close up shop. Delays in the proceedings can let you continue to serve your patients or clients, not to mention make alternative arrangements for them in the event your hands become tied temporarily.

Turn To An Experienced Advisor

Joseph Lento has dealt with licensing and regulatory boards in a wide variety of industries in New York and New Jersey. Whether the allegations against you are unfair or you had a lapse in judgment that you now regret, he and his Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm understand the inner workings of the system and can use that knowledge to help your case.

Delay talking to any investigators, and delay any appearances or meetings as long as you can. But don't delay calling Joseph D. Lento, who can help you achieve the best possible outcome, whatever that may be in your circumstances, and keep you working in your field now and in your future. Click here to tell us about your case, or call us at 1-888-535-3686 today.