Impersonation of Licensed Professional :: Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

After going through the rigors of law school, almost any lawyer would relate that it is not an overly pleasant experience, what with the demanding curriculum, long hours, and intense pressure that accompanies a competitive academic pursuit. Likewise, any medical doctor would tell you that medical school was no walk in the park. How much easier it would be if one could simply print out a license, hang it on the wall, and begin the practice of law, medicine, chiropractics, or some other pursuit that normally requires years of training and rigorous examination. Unfortunately, individuals who try to pursue a career in a licensed profession in this manner are much more likely to end up in jail than actually making a living in their chosen profession.

Impersonating a licensed professional is a felony in Tennessee, punishable by up to six years in prison. The language of T.C.A. 39-16-302 makes clear that any licensed profession is covered by the statute:

It is unlawful for any person who is not licensed to do so, to practice or pretend to be licensed to practice a profession for which a license certifying the qualifications of the licensee to practice the profession is required.

Often times, individuals can become skilled enough in a field such as real estate, law, or medicine to practice certain aspects of that field at a reasonable level without undergoing any formal education. While this may be of great benefit to you if you are going to sell your own home, represent yourself in court, or diagnose yourself with a medical condition, it becomes a problem when you start offering similar services to others under the guise of being a person who is licensed to practice the profession and provide services to the public.

Such activity may seem harmless if the person practicing the profession feels like they are competent to do so, but it is illegal in this state and will lead to serious criminal charges for defendants who are caught impersonating a licensed professional. Individuals facing any type of felony or misdemeanor charge in Tennessee should contact a skilled criminal defense attorney for assistance in fighting the charges.