You can lose your real estate license after an arrest. This is true even if the offense in question is unrelated to your real estate practice. Getting arrested likely will not jeopardize your license, but a conviction likely will. Committing a crime in another state does not get you off the hook, either. You have an obligation to report it to the Florida Real Estate Commission or face increased penalties.
What Happens If I Get Arrested and Convicted of a Crime?
Several laws and rules outline what could happen if you get convicted of a crime. They include:
Under Section 475.25(1)(f) of the Florida Statutes, the Florida Real Estate Commission can take several actions if you receive a conviction. These actions include:
- Suspending your real estate license for up to 10 years
- Revoking your real estate license
- Charging you an administrative fine of up to $5,000
At the same time, Rule 61J2-24.001(3)(g) of the Florida Administrative Code mandates:
- For a first offense (depending on the crime), you may receive a real estate license suspension of at least 30 days and a fine between $250 to $1,000 per violation
- For additional offenses, you may receive a license suspension or revocation and fines between $1,000 and $5,000
Losing your real estate license for a month or more could seriously hurt your business. It is important to note that the Florida Real Estate Commission could consider the details of your case and mitigating circumstances. They may reduce the penalties and get you back to work sooner. Of course, depending on the nature of the charges against you, this type of in-depth case review could also lead to additional penalties.
Obtaining Your Real Estate License With a Criminal Record in Florida
You may also encounter issues if you are considering applying for a Florida real estate license with a record. A conviction does not bar you from applying for and obtaining your Florida real estate license. The application will ask you to discuss your history and your conviction.
A background check is a part of the licensing process. You will be required to disclose any convictions and explain them on your application during the approval process. You will also need to include any plea agreements or nolo contendere. Each application is weighed on its own merits, so a conviction will not automatically bar you from licensing.
Safeguard Your License by Fighting the Charge Against You
If the police arrested you or if you already face charges of a Florida crime, the criminal defense attorneys from Goldman Wetzel can help. We will ensure your rights remain protected and will fight the charges against you. The best way to ensure your real estate license is never in jeopardy is to avoid a conviction.
Our team of attorneys, Summer Goldman and Maribeth Wetzel, work together on every case. When you hire one, you get both. Because they have varied career experience, you get both the career defense attorney and the perspective of someone who worked for the District Attorney’s office and prosecuted crimes. This perspective can be indispensable when it comes to building a unique and aggressive defense strategy to save your real estate license.
There are several ways we may be able to get a more positive outcome in your case. Frequently this may include:
- Working to prevent charges
- Proving our case to get the charges dropped
- Negotiating a plea agreement to only have a minor conviction on your record
- Fighting for an acquittal in court
We understand how important your real estate license is to you. We will fight to help you prevent a suspension, and mitigate any damage done by a conviction.
Talk to Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys About Your Case
If you face accusations of a criminal act in Florida, Goldman Wetzel can help. We can put a strong defense strategy in place, working to clear your name and ensure your real estate license is never in jeopardy. We can protect your rights from the first time police question you through the end of your jury trial, if necessary. We will pursue justice in your case, fighting for a more positive outcome.
Call our Florida criminal defense team today at 727-828-3900 to learn more about our services or to get started today.