When we get a call from an individual or small
business regarding a potential issue - we
tell them first - to calm down, not panic
and wait to get legal advice.
It is a mistake to move ahead and meet with
the board investigator or a criminal detective
without legal counsel.
Criminal investigators and board investigators
are forensically trained to prosecute your
case.
They are trained to find errors in what you
have done and they have gotten a first impression
from whoever filed the complaint or whoever
brought a matter to their attention.
They are geared toward that negative inference.
What we want to do is take control of that
and to guide you through that process.
You should never speak to a board investigator
or an investigative interviewer without legal
counsel.
Anything you say can and will be used against
you.
There are different rules that apply to licensing
board actions and licensing board actions
are not criminal cases.
You are not given the warnings that you would
be given in a criminal case and you think
you can speak freely, but all that information
will be used against you.
Criminal detectives will often say that it's
in your best interest to speak to them but
they are geared towards your prosecution.
They are not your friends.
So my best advice is to slow down, don't panic,
obtain legal advice and let our lawyers work
to intercede in that process and slow it down.
There's a mistaken impression that if I get
a lawyer, I'll look guilty; however, all of
the people you're dealing with, would hire
a lawyer in a heartbeat.
What you need to realize is that a lawyer
is here for your best defense.
When I need banking advice, I call a banker.
If I need financial advice, I call a financial
planner.
And if you need legal advice, you should call
a lawyer.
