Hearings can result in Desist and Refrain orders and sometimes in Bar orders that disbar licensees from the profession. Licensed professionals who are called to attend a hearing should realize that their license is on the line, and that proceedings are rapid and judge-led. After a hearing has taken place, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will issue a written Proposed Decision within 30 days, and the California DRE is then at liberty to accept, modify or reject this Proposed Decision when it issues its own Final Decision and Order.
The California Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) maintains Court Hearing locations in Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, and San Diego, as well as conducting proceedings offsite in Bakersfield, Fresno, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose, and Fresno.
Working with clients throughout the process, Mary E. Work assists with initial hearing preparation, advocacy during the hearing and appeals following unfavorable decisions. There are two main paths of appeal following an FDO: Petition for Reconsideration, and Petition for Writ of Mandamus in Superior Court. Writs for these must be filed within 30 days of the FDO issuance; licensees navigating the time-critical waters of a DRE hearing are strongly recommended to obtain effective representation from an experienced DRE defense attorney.
