Saturday, January 14, 2017

Are you a Doctor or Nurse with Criminal Charges?

If you are a Nurse, Doctor or other Health Care Professional who has been charged with a crime, you should consult with an experienced Attroney who will meet with you and discuss all aspects of your situation.

It is urgent that you retain a Medical Attorney to represent you throughout the criminal prosecution who is able to identify what needs to be done to lower the possibility of your Occupational License being suspended by the State Board.

Did you know that pleading guilty or being found guilty of certain crimes may impose a mandatory suspension of your Occupational License and put you in risk of losing your career? Because of this, it is important that you are informed of possible risks with accepting a guilty plea to certain charges, even if they sound appealing. By meeting with Attroney Paletta, you will be provided with the information you need to make the decision that's best for you.

Don't Just Get A Free Consultation, Get Educated! Call or E-Mail us now to schedule a time convenient to sit down and discuss your case.

412.391.7999

aimee@lawyerpaletta.com

Friday, January 13, 2017

PITTSBURGH MEDICAL AND NURSING LICENSE DEFENSE

If you are you a medical professional facing a criminal prosecution, what should you do?  Do you know that a prosecution for any crime can have a negative impact on your professional license?  This could affect your license status even if the alleged crime did not occur during work hours and had nothing to do with your employment. 

I suggest to you that the most important action you can take for your future is to hire “the right lawyer.”   This is Attorney Joseph Paletta, and I am not only an experienced criminal defense lawyer, but I also represent doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals in prosecutions by the Pennsylvania State licensing boards.  Not only that, but being a licensed professional myself, I understand the danger of losing a professional license and therefore the ability to work in my chosen profession.

Why did I quote “the right lawyer”?   A lawyer who just practices criminal defense law does not know all of the implications of a criminal prosecution on a medical or nursing license.  Even a good result in a criminal prosecution can cause a professional license suspension, sometimes for 5 and even 10 years.  Therefore, hiring the right lawyer is not only the right thing to do, it’s also an investment in your future. 

Contact me and allow my experience and knowledge to be the solution to your legal and license problems.

                                                Joseph Alexander Paletta, Esq.

www.palettalaw.com


Monday, January 9, 2017

D.U.I. and your Pennsylvania Medical/Nursing License

This blog is intended to inform doctors and nurses of the general implications of an arrest for the crime of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substances (DUI) on a Medical or Nursing License.  This is Attorney Joseph Paletta and the focus of my law practice is DUI defense and Medical and Nursing License defense, and you must know that the former always affects the latter to some degree.  You see, regardless of the outcome, the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine and Nursing requires you to notify the applicable Board of the DUI arrest.

Regarding the outcome of a DUI, if you have no criminal record, you will likely qualify for the pre-trial diversion program known as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD).  This program will permit the DUI charge to be resolved with no conviction, and your criminal record  expunged.  However, even if your prosecution is resolved by ARD, the Board of Nursing (BON) requires at least an alcohol evaluation by an approved evaluator such as the Gateway Rehabilitation Program.  If the result of that evaluation indicates an “impairment,” the BON may impose additional requirements on you to preserve your license.

If you do have a criminal record, you will likely not qualify for ARD, and the case will be resolved by a trial or plea.  Generally, a conviction of a Misdemeanor results in a five (5) year suspension of a Nursing License.  A conviction of a Felony like diversion (technically “acquisition or obtaining of possession of a controlled substance by … deception or subterfuge” 35 P.S. Section 780-113(a)(12)) will cause the suspension of a Nursing License for ten (10) years.

For more specific information about your situation, I strongly suggest that you contact my office for a consultation, and certainly before speaking to anyone from the BON or law enforcement.




424 Frick Building
437 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, PA 
15219

412.391.7999

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Criminal Defense Attorney for College Students

Criminal Defense Attorney for College Students
I am a Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney who represents college students charged with crimes such as DUI, Public Intox., and Possession.
Having worked with many college students and professionals such as Doctors and Nurses who have been charged with crimes which could jeopardize their college education and professional career, I understand how important it is for my clients to receive the best possible outcome available and one that will not damage their record.  For this reason, I work closely with my clients to develop a strategy that will assist in receiving an outcome most favorable to them.
If you are a college student or recent graduate who is just starting your professional career and you have been charged with a crime, don't take the chance of harming your future by proceeding without an Attorney or at least consulting with one first.  Your future is too important; contact me to discuss your situation.


Monday, January 2, 2017

Your Criminal Record and Your Medical Career

I recently came across an older article that I thought needed reshared, especially for many of the Medical Professionals and Medical Students that I represent.  In January 2012 USNews posted a great read titled “Tips for Medical School Applicants with Criminal Records” (see original article below).  This article provides some very useful information and explains in great detail how having a criminal record could cause problems for those with criminal records who are hoping to have a future in the medical field.  Having worked with clients who struggle with issues related to this topic, I’ve seen first hand how detrimental these issues could be for one's career.  If you have questions about anything related to this topic and would like to discuss your situation, please contact my office.


The Law Office of Joseph A. Paletta
412.391.7999

___________________________________________


Tips for Medical School Applicants With Criminal Records

January 23, 2012 RSS Feed Print
It's anyone's worst nightmare—getting caught up in the legal system. Whether it's a result of a night of indiscretion or something more serious, a criminal charge or conviction could be one of the factors medical school admissions committees use when making decisions.
What should you do if you have a criminal record?
Medical schools in the United States and overseas have struggled with the question of how to handle criminal records in admissions. Even medical schools sometimes don't get it right. In 2007, the prestigious Karolinska Institutet in Sweden matriculated an applicant convicted of murder, which raised tough ethical issues. Though the vast majority of applicants need not worry about such serious crimes, it's important to address any criminal record in the admissions process.
Most medical schools ask applicants to disclose prior convictions. Some schools only ask about felonies, while others want to know about anything other than a minor traffic violation (such as a speeding ticket). The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has a national background check service that reviews databases for a list of participating schools, which are listed on the website. Some medical schools in certain states, such as Illinois, perform additional checks.
Having a criminal record affects an applicant's review in the admissions process in the following two ways.
• Convictions: This is one of a variety of factors that are checked. A charge that was dismissed is very different from a conviction or no contest plea. Note that once a charge is filed by the relevant city or district attorney's office, it may still appear in a background check even if it was later dropped. If you were arrested, you were likely fingerprinted, and many schools fingerprint incoming students and run the prints through a national databank.
• Nature of crime: Committees are reluctant to admit students who may not be able to get eventual credentials or state licenses. They will be looking at whether any convictions involved crimes that raise doubts about a student's fitness to eventually practice medicine.
Types of crimes that usually concern admissions committees are those that involve dishonesty (such as cheating or fraud) or possible risks to patients (such as drug offenses or sexual and violent crimes). They also keep in mind how the public may view the offense and whether it could be a predictor of future destructive behaviors or crimes.
Also keep in mind that crimes that may not seem related to medicine at first glance (such as a DUI) may be problematic, depending on the circumstances.
If you have a criminal record, there are two important things to remember in order to best position yourself in the admissions process.
• Disclosure: Withholding all or part of a criminal record could lead to a rescinding of an acceptance, or if discovered later on, even dismissal from medical school. Schools consider withholding this information to be a form of dishonesty.
If in doubt, obtain your police records on your own to see where you stand, especially as questions now include military discharge history and misdemeanors.
• Mitigating factors: Committees typically view the context of the circumstances leading to the conviction and any steps taken toward rehabilitation favorably. They like applicants to have reflected on the incident and to attempt to show mitigating circumstances and steps taken to address problems.
Including any extenuating circumstances at the time (such as a recent family death) and whether it was an isolated event is important. Good ways to address rehabilitation are documenting treatment at a drug rehab facility or engaging in volunteer work in the community.
Applying to medical school seems hard enough; with a criminal record it can be doubly so. The best way to deal with this issue is by explaining what happened and why, lessons you learned, and steps you've taken to ensure it will not be repeated.
Ibrahim Busnaina, M.D. is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and coauthor of "Examkrackers' How to Get Into Medical School." He has been consulting with prospective medical school applicants, with a special focus on minority and other nontraditional candidates, since 2006.


Sunday, January 1, 2017

My Nursing License was Suspended! What do I do now? How do I make a living? Where do I start? - Nursing Law & Order


Hi everyone & thank you for visiting our blog!

My name is Aimee, Attorney Paletta's Paralegal.  I just happened to come across this site while doing a little research/web surfing.

Attorney Paletta represents Nurses, Doctors & other Medical Professionals who are experiencing difficulties with their license, employment, communication with the state, being investigated for alleged diversion, negligent charting & much more.

First and foremost - before discussing your case with anyone consulting with an experienced attorney who specializes in this area is extremely important!!

However this site I came across may be a useful tool to read about others who are experiencing situations similar to yours or just a way to help cope with what you may be going through...

Feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions or think you may be in need of representation.  Remember, always consult with an Attorney before giving statements, being interviewed, or discussing your case with others!!

My Nursing License was Suspended! What do I do now? How do I make a living? Where do I start? - Nursing Law & Order:

'via Blog this'


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Representing Health Care Professionals for Criminal Charges and Licensing Issues


Are you a Health Care Professional who has been charged with a crime such as D.U.I.?





Attorney Paletta represents Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, and other Health Care Professionals who have been charged with crimes such as Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I.)



If you are a Health Care Professional that has been charged with a crime, it is important that you consult with an attorney to learn your rights.  In addition to criminal charges, there is a chance that your Occupational License may be affected pending the outcome of your case.



Attorney Paletta has worked with many Health Care Professionals who are facing criminal charges and find themselves in jeopardy of facing a suspension or revocation of their license to practice.  In addition to the criminal aspect in a situation like this, Attorney Paletta has experience working with the State Board, the State Prosecutors and Attorney General’s Office, who may be investigating your situation.


Contact us immediately and let us help you!




412.391.7999



WWW.PITTSBURGHCRIMINALLAWFIRM.COM


Saturday, September 10, 2016

Drug Addiction In The Medical Profession

As explained in the video below, drug addiction in the Medical Profession is very common. 

Like Connecticut, Pennsylvania has also developed programs such as VRP & DMU which are targeted to help Doctors, Nurses and other Medical Professionals who may be suffering from a chemical dependency or other impairment.  These programs offer Medical Professionals options such as treatment and monitoring so that  they are able to safely practice their profession.
If you are a Doctor, Nurse or other Medical Professional who is in need of an Attorney to help with Medical License Defense or Criminal Investigations, contact Attorney Paletta immediately.  You should NOT answer any questions or speak to anyone relating to this without consulting with this office first!!
Call us now - 412.391.7999





source:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xfC25y1dqQ&feature=related  (InsidersHealth.com)

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Family recovery specialists on drug diversion

It always interests me to read these articles so just thought I would share!
If you're looking to understand or learn more about drug diversion in the medical field take a look at this article posted on familyrecoveryspecialists.com explaining drug diversion....
http://www.familyrecoveryspecialists.com/understanding-drug-diversion/
Aimee
Paralegal to Attorney Paletta
Aimee@lawyerpaletta.com