Failure to Disclose a Past Arrest on your Real Estate Application!

Are you unsure of how to address a past arrest or indiscretion? In any profession, as well as in Real Estate, is in your best interest to be truthful on your application to become a Florida Real Estate Agent, Broker, or Appraiser. The real estate profession is one that is built on ethics, truth, and honesty. Failure to disclose a past arrest may lead to an appearance before the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), or the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB) and possible denial of your license. 

Section 475.25,(1)(m), Florida Statutes Provides:

475.25 Discipline.—

(1) The commission may deny an application for licensure, registration, or permit, or renewal thereof; may place a licensee, registrant, or permittee on probation; may suspend a license, registration, or permit for a period not exceeding 10 years; may revoke a license, registration, or permit; may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000 for each count or separate offense, and may issue a reprimand, and any or all of the foregoing, if it finds that the licensee, registrant, permittee, or applicant:

(m) Has obtained a license by means of fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment.

Seeking Legal Advice

It is crucial to seek legal advice early in the process if you are a real estate salesperson, agent, or broker who is in the initial phases of a Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) investigation or has received a letter from DPBR requiring an appearance before the Board pursuant to your application for licensure. 

Let Us Help You:

• Understand your options. 
• Review your letter from the DPBR.
• Advise you on how to successfully navigate the system.
• Advise you on the approach to meeting with FREC or FREAB.
• Argue mitigating circumstances which might lessen the penalties.
• Represent you and your case before the FREC or the FREAB.

Establishing a strategy early in the process for the defense of your real estate license is the best approach under these circumstances. We’re uniquely qualified at Howell, Buchan & Strong Attorneys at Law and are vitally headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida’s Capital City, where the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is based, and a secondary office in Orlando, where the Florida Real Estate Commission is headquartered. We have decades of experience dealing with state government agencies and the legal problems that arise.

Our Law Firm

Our law firm is experienced in DBPR real estate license defense concerns. Howell, Buchan & Strong, Attorneys at Law represent licensed professionals in Florida with advice and representation.

Have questions about your real estate license and how to protect it? Contact the law firm of Howell, Buchan & Strong at 850-877-7776 to set up a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

Orlando (407) 717-1773 | Tallahassee (850) 877-7776 | Tampa (813) 833-6726 | Sarasota (941) 779-4348

¿Necesita un consejo? No vaya solo, estamos aqui para aydarle. Llame a la asistente legal Helen Blandon para una consulta gratuita hoy en el bufete de abogados de Howell, Buchan & Strong, al 407-717-1773.