Optometrists and prospective optometrists are always at risk for licensing issues. Optometry licensing problems can come up in a number of ways and at a number of points in one’s schooling and career.

Optometry License Applicants

Before someone is even given an optometrist license, certain issues may arise. Under Wisconsin law, a license applicant must meet several criteria, including graduating from an accredited optometry school, passing the board examination, and proving that he or she does not have an arrest or conviction record.

There are exceptions that may be argued regarding one’s past criminal record and the effect it could have on being eligible for an optometry license. Many license applicants find that this is one area where an attorney can be helpful. An attorney may also be helpful in the application process if there are any irregularities or issues during the exam, such as disability accommodations or allegations of cheating.

By Ray Dall’Osto

After laboring in the criminal justice field in Wisconsin for forty years, what have I learned? First, that the state and federal prison populations have grown from 250,000 to 1,500,000 in that time period, yet overall, crime rates are substantially down. Of the 186,000 federal prison inmates in 2010, 98,000 were in prison for drug offenses. When I first started to practice, there were less than 4,000 prison inmates in Wisconsin, and now that number is consistently over 20,000. While crime rates have gone down, the United States remains the world leader in rates of incarceration. What is wrong with this picture? How have we as a society ended up here? What can be done?

Harsh sentencing laws such as mandatory minimums, sharp increases in felony sentence structures, and judges handing down longer prison sentences, combined with the elimination of parole and early release programs for good behavior and successful treatment completion, has created this over-incarceration morass. 

For dentists, a top concern is receiving their professional dentistry license and then retaining that license. Two issues that dentists may face with respect to licensing are license application and denial, as well as disciplinary matters.

License Application and Denial

Wisconsin strictly enforces the requirements set forth by law for dentist license applications. Applicants must pass the board exam and show proof of graduation from an accredited dental school. In addition, applicants must disclose certain criminal convictions if they have them. Under Wisconsin law, an applicant must report a conviction of any felony, misdemeanor, or other offense for which the circumstances substantially relate to the practice of dentistry.

The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services recently began allowing applicants to apply for a predetermination of whether an individual will be disqualified from obtaining a license due to his or her conviction record. If you have a conviction and wish to utilize this service, an attorney can help you decide if a conviction needs to be reported and how best to present the conviction to the department.

As a chiropractor, there is nothing more important than your professional license. Unfortunately, there are numerous ways that your chiropractor’s license can be suspended or revoked.

Anything that jeopardizes your chiropractic license should be treated seriously and directly. In fact, there are often additional penalties that you will face if you ignore correspondence from the Wisconsin Chiropractic Examining Board or another agency.

Licensing issues a chiropractor may face include:

The term “white collar crime” was coined in the 1930s to describe a legal violation by a “person of respectability and high social status” made in the course of their work. Since then, white collar crimes have grown in number and complexity, and they typically involve nonviolent criminal activity that is committed for financial gain. These crimes are often committed in commercial or business situations.

Because of the ever-increasing complexity that white collar crimes present, those accused of these types of criminal charges should be represented by an attorney who knows how financial institutions work. The practices of banks, accountants, lending agencies, and taxing authorities are often at the center of white collar cases. In addition, there are various agencies that may be involved in the investigation of any sort of alleged white collar crime, including state attorneys general, the FBI, or the SEC. 

Some common white collar crimes include:

Most people understand that it is important to have a will, but many people do not understand that what you include in your will is what makes it so important.

Your will is a legal document used to express your final wishes with regards to the handling of your personal property and other assets. It is a final way, upon your passing, to show your loved ones that you care.

Knowing what you can and should include in your will can help you feel more confident and secure. Your will should address the following issues:

Criminal accusations, investigations, and arrests will have massive, far-reaching implications for anyone who is charged with a crime. However, some types of sensitive crimes can be even more serious since they will affect a person’s freedom, reputation, relationships with friends and family, their career, and his or her standing in the community. 

Sexual assault is one of the most severe crimes with which a person can be charged, and a conviction is likely to result in lengthy jail time and significant fines, as well as the requirement to register as a sex offender for at least 15 years, and possibly for life. If you are facing accusations of sexual assault, it is important to understand the specific charges and their potential punishments.

Degrees of Sexual Assault in Wisconsin

Wisconsin law identifies four degrees of sexual assault:

While being arrested and charged with any type of crime is a serious matter, certain offenses are considered sensitive crimes and can result in both criminal charges and negative consequences to a person’s life. A criminal conviction for child abuse or neglect may impact a person’s family relationships, the custody of his or her children, and even one’s career. 

If you have been accused of child abuse or neglect, you should be sure to understand the nature of the charges and your options for defense.

Child Abuse and Neglect Under Wisconsin Law

The potential charges related to child abuse or neglect can vary depending on the nature of the alleged offense. Wisconsin law identifies the following types of abuse and neglect towards children under the age of 18:

No matter your age, it is important to plan for how your affairs should be handled if you are unable to take care of them yourself. One way of doing so is to create a power of attorney for finances, which will name a person who is authorized to make financial decisions for you if you ever become incapacitated.

Establishing a Power of Attorney

Power of attorney for finances can be established by filling out and signing a form provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, or a document can be prepared by an attorney. The form or document will allow you to name an agent who can make decisions about your finances and the property you own. The power of attorney should include:

• The name and contact information of your agent, as well as any successor agents who you wish to name if your agent is not available or willing to act on your behalf.
• Your permission to give your agent general authority in any or all of the following areas:
  • Real property - Buying, selling, leasing, or managing real estate, including making mortgage payments and paying property taxes.
  • Tangible personal property - Buying, selling, or managing your physical belongings.
  • Digital property - Accessing and managing your electronic accounts and digital files.
  • Stocks and bonds - Buying, selling, or exchanging investments.
  • Commodities and options - Buying, selling, or exchanging futures contracts.
  • Banks and other financial institutions - Making deposits or withdrawals from bank accounts.
  • Operation of entity or business - Managing your business interests and performing any ownership duties that you would typically handle.
  • Insurance and annuities - Paying insurance premiums, modifying insurance plans, and applying for benefits on your behalf.
  • Estates, trusts, and other beneficial interests - Managing any interests for which you are the beneficiary.
  • Claims and litigation - Filing civil lawsuits or claims on your behalf or representing your interests in court cases.
  • Personal and family maintenance - Making child support or spousal maintenance payments for you and meeting the financial needs of the family members you support.
  • Benefits from governmental programs or civil or military service - Managing your enrollment in benefits programs such as Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid.
  • Retirement plans - Managing 401(k) or IRA accounts, including making contributions or withdrawals.
  • Taxes - Filing your tax returns, paying taxes owed, and collecting refunds.

You may also include special instructions regarding what your agent is or is not authorized to do. The power of attorney will become effective immediately after it is signed, unless you provide a date or describe certain circumstances for when it should go into effect. Unless you state otherwise, your power of attorney will be “durable,” meaning that it will remain in effect if you become incapacitated.

Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. The physical and emotional distress that a person experiences in a collision can make it difficult to keep a clear head in the immediate aftermath. As a result, many people make mistakes that affect their ability to recover compensation for the damages they have suffered. If you are involved in an auto accident, be sure to avoid the following:

1. Admitting fault - Common courtesy often leads people to take at least partial blame for a collision. However, doing so can make it more difficult to establish liability for the accident and recover compensation for your injuries. When discussing the crash with other drivers, police officers, or insurance company representatives, state the facts about what happened without admitting any fault.
2. Not receiving timely medical care - After an accident, it can be easy to shrug off your possible injuries, especially if they seem minor. However, it is important to receive medical attention as soon as possible. This will establish medical records documenting the full extent of your injuries, ensuring that you are able to recover compensation that will address your immediate care as well as any health complications related to the accident that may arise in the future.
3. Failing to file a police report - It may seem like a good idea to avoid involving law enforcement after a collision, but it is ultimately best to report the accident to police. Doing so will establish a record of the accident and ensure that it is not just your word against the other driver’s.
4. Not gathering evidence - If possible, you should get as much information as you can about the accident to demonstrate its causes and who was at fault. Take pictures of the scene, speak to witnesses and get their contact information, and try to find out if the collision was captured on any nearby security cameras. This evidence can be crucial in establishing liability for the crash.
5. Providing information to the insurance company - Following an accident, you may be contacted by the other driver’s insurance company and asked to give a recorded statement. It is best to decline to do so and have your attorney communicate with insurance companies for you.
6. Agreeing to a settlement without legal help - An insurance company may offer you a financial settlement that appears to cover some or all of your damages, and accepting this settlement will allow you to receive compensation quickly. However, it is likely that this type of settlement will not fully address your damages. Before accepting a settlement, be sure to have an attorney review your case.

Contact a Milwaukee Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a car crash, the skilled attorneys of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, can help you obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve. We will work to ensure that you are compensated for the costs of medical care, ongoing rehabilitation, property damage, lost income from missed work or disability, and pain and suffering. Contact our Milwaukee, WI personal injury attorneys at 414-271-1440 to arrange a consultation.

Sources: