In a formal Administrative Procedure Act (“APA“) proceeding before an Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) of the Office of Administrative Hearings (“OAH”), the ALJ is authorized on his or her own motion – or on a motion of either party – to Read more…
Before reviewing the steps one should take to evaluate an appeal of a lower adjudicator’s decision, it is important to note that an appeal is almost never a re-trial. Meaning, rarely does an appeal provide you with an opportunity to Read more…
The California Bureau of Automotive Repair‘s “STAR” certification program began on January 1, 2013, replacing what was previously called the “Gold Shield” Program. STAR certification is the Bureau’s voluntary certification program that applies to a registered Automotive Repair Dealer that Read more…
All veterinary technician applicants are required to take the new California veterinary technician examination and the Veterinary Technician National Examination (“VTNE”). As an applicant, if you have taken the California veterinary technician examination and failed prior to March 1, 2014, you are required Read more…
Everyday, it appears that local, state, or even federal authorities are engaging in raids and shutting down Internet cafés. Why? Well, there is nothing inherently illegal about a normal Internet café. They are just locations that provide access to the Read more…
Most licensees when facing license discipline are concerned about the direct and immediate consequences. In particular, when a physician faces an accusation by the Medical Board of California, their primary concern is their continued ability to practice. And that is Read more…
In an admitted absent-minded mistake on the part of a California realtor, he was arrested for theft and trespassing on what was thought to be abandoned property. As a result, he was threatened with the loss of his realtor’s license Read more…
You have heard of flipping houses, right? And you have seen some done right and some done wrong on many national cable television programs. Sometimes, the disasters are shown as do-it-yourself nightmares. Well, what about flipping cars? Not so much. Read more…
Imagine that you are a licensed professional accused of misconduct by your underlying licensing agency, who now wishes to revoke your license. You retain counsel, attempt to negotiate a stipulated settlement, but the agency’s attorney just will not budge. So, you go to Read more…
California law requires all licensing agencies to issue Disciplinary Guidelines. (Business and Professions Code, sections 481, 482.) These Disciplinary Guidelines are similar to Sentencing Guidelines in criminal law. They provide for the proposed terms of license discipline and the probation Read more…