{"id":8152,"date":"2017-10-16T17:31:57","date_gmt":"2017-10-16T22:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/?page_id=8152"},"modified":"2025-04-02T03:57:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T08:57:11","slug":"suspensions-revocations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare\/healthcare-compliance\/dea-matters\/suspensions-revocations\/","title":{"rendered":"DEA Suspensions and Revocations"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Dedicated Federal Legal Counsel for Healthcare Practitioners Facing DEA Revocations and Suspensions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/lynette-byrd\/\"><img decoding=\"async\"  style=\"width: 200px;\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Byrd_Lynette_400x600.jpg\" alt=\"Lynette Byrd\" class=\"wp-image-371 contact-img\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/lynette-byrd\/\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Attorney Lynette Byrd<\/strong><br>DEA Suspensions and Revocations Team Lead<br>Former DOJ Attorney<\/a><!-- <a class=\"contact-link-inner\" href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/contact-lynette\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-59478\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/circled-envelope-1.png\" alt=\"envelope icon\" \/>Contact Lynette<\/a> --><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/ellen-comley\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Comley_Ellen_200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen Comley\" class=\"wp-image-30997\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\"\/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/ellen-comley\/\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Attorney Ellen Comley<\/strong><br>DEA Suspensions and Revocations Team Lead<br>Litigation Counsel<\/figcaption><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/roger-bach\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Bach_Roger_200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Roger Bach\" class=\"wp-image-30634\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Roger Bach<\/strong><br>DEA Suspensions and Revocations Team<br>Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOJ)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In nearly any situation involving the federal government, United States agencies are not allowed to simply strip individuals or businesses of their rights, licenses, or legal statuses without a good reason for doing so \u2014 and those reasons must be clearly demonstrated as part of a formal legal process. <strong><a href=\"\/healthcare-compliance\/dea-matters\/\">DEA<\/a><\/strong> suspensions and revocations are no exception.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, agents of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration are often eager to do just that. They see it as their job to enforce the law and take an aggressive stance against potential wrongdoings or violations, and that approach often leads to overly aggressive action against healthcare providers who never imagined they\u2019d be in legal trouble with the DEA.<\/p>\n<p>Your DEA registration is critical to your career and your good standing in the medical field. Giving it up isn\u2019t an attractive prospect, and in many cases, it isn\u2019t necessary. <strong>Doctors, medical practices, and business owners are often able to defeat attempts at suspensions or revocations by hiring a seasoned team of veteran DEA defense attorneys<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why the DEA agents may first try to get you to simply sign away your registration through a process called voluntary surrender \u2014 and it\u2019s almost always a mistake for healthcare providers to agree to do this.<\/p>\n<p>If you refuse to surrender (as you almost always should), the DEA will likely proceed toward suspension or revocation. It is in your best interest to have an experienced team of lawyers representing you throughout the entirety of that process. It could make all the difference in the outcome.<\/p>\n<p>Healthcare law is complex, but you have rights, and the DEA has legal burdens it must meet before it can suspend or revoke your registration.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"\/\">Oberheiden, P.C.<\/a><\/strong> is here to hold them to that burden. We <a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare-defense\/medical-license-defense-attorney\/\">challenge their actions against you and your practice<\/a>, and negotiate outcomes that are designed to be in your best interests. Our ultimate goal is for you to keep your DEA registration, your professional licensures, and your good reputation intact.<\/p>\n<p>Our law firm is comprised of former federal prosecutors who now represent doctors, business owners, and other medical professionals or healthcare entities targeted by the DEA or other governmental agencies. Having represented the United States government in these same actions, our former prosecutors understand how to best position you for success. Our goal is to keep your career on track and unblemished and we fight for that goal at each and every turn.<\/p>\n<p>You don\u2019t have to accept the loss of your DEA registration simply because an agent told you it\u2019s inevitable. Fight for the business and vocation you\u2019ve worked so hard to build. Contact Oberheiden, P.C. right away.<\/p>\n<p>Contact Oberheiden, P.C. <strong><a href=\"\/contact\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">online<\/a><\/strong> today.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"iframe-container\">\n<iframe width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TdSSKgZwpEA\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2>When Can the DEA Suspend or Revoke Registration?<\/h2>\n<p>The DEA is powerful, but its powers are not limitless. It can only take away your registration for specific reasons. These include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You falsified information in your application for DEA registration<\/li>\n<li>Medicare or Medicaid has excluded you from participation in its programs<\/li>\n<li>You have been convicted of a felony involving a controlled substance<\/li>\n<li>At least one state has revoked, suspended, or denied your license<\/li>\n<li>You have voluntarily surrendered your registration<\/li>\n<li>You have engaged in behavior that goes against the public interest<\/li>\n<li>Allowing you to continue in your practice poses an immediate danger to public health or safety<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In each of these cases, it is not enough for the DEA merely to make an allegation. There is a formal adjudication process that takes time, and throughout that process you have rights that an attorney can safeguard and defend.<\/p>\n<p>Except in cases involving alleged &#8220;imminent danger&#8221; to the public, you can continue to practice until the adjudication process is resolved.<\/p>\n<h2>Responding to a DEA Show Cause Order<\/h2>\n<p>If the DEA wants to revoke or suspend your registration, it will first have to formally serve you with an <strong>Order to Show Cause<\/strong>. The Order will include a summary of the facts and law relevant to the DEA\u2019s action and an explanation as to why the DEA seeks to suspend or revoke your registration. You must then respond to the Order by explaining why your registration should <em>not<\/em> be suspended or revoked.<\/p>\n<p>Your response to the Order to Show Cause is extremely important, and it\u2019s essential that you not make mistakes. Responding in a thorough, strategic, and timely manner can make all the difference in the outcome of your dispute. An experienced DEA defense law firm can help you respond prudently so as to put you in the best possible chance for an optimal resolution.<\/p>\n<p>In cases involving &#8220;imminent danger&#8221; as described above, your Order to Show Cause may be accompanied by an <strong>Immediate Suspension Order<\/strong>. If you receive notice of immediate suspension, you should comply with the order but also contact a seasoned defense lawyer as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n<h2>DEA Show Cause Hearings<\/h2>\n<p>The Order to Show Cause will inform you that, among other things, you have the right to request a hearing in response to the Order and the DEA\u2019s proposed action. If you wish to request a hearing (and in most cases, it is in your best interest to do so), you will need to file that request \u2014 formally and effectively \u2014 within 30 days.  Failure to do so could constitute waiver of your right to a hearing.  Likewise, voluntary surrender of your registration will also constitute a waiver of your right to a hearing.<\/p>\n<p>DEA Show Cause Hearings are not unlike the hearings that doctors undergo when challenged by their state\u2019s medical licensing board. It is important to take the process seriously and to get the best possible legal defense in your corner.<\/p>\n<p>Show Cause Hearings are adjudicated by a federal Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Each side presents an argument, which may include admitting evidence and calling witnesses. The DEA has the burden of proof, and the relevant legal standard is <strong>a preponderance of the evidence<\/strong>. This standard is lower than the &#8220;beyond a reasonable doubt&#8221; standard used in criminal proceedings, and it generally means that the evidence must show that it\u2019s more likely than not that the alleged legal violation occurred.<\/p>\n<p>If the ALJ finds that the DEA has satisfied its burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence, he or she may enter a formal recommendation that you not maintain your DEA registration. That recommendation then goes to the DEA Administrator, who will consider not only the ALJ\u2019s conclusion but also objections (&#8220;exceptions&#8221;) made by either you or the DEA.<\/p>\n<p>In making its decision, the DEA Administrator will consider whether you have:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Complied with applicable federal, state, and local laws<\/li>\n<li>Any previous convictions (at either the state or federal level) relating to controlled substances<\/li>\n<li>Maintained effective controls against controlled substances being diverted into unlawful channels<\/li>\n<li>Experience with handling or distributing controlled substances<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Administrator may also consider any other factors relevant to public interest and safety.<\/p>\n<p>At the end of this process, the DEA Administrator will issue a final decision, which will either reject, modify, or accept the ALJ\u2019s recommendation. You may appeal the final decision directly to the U.S. Court of Appeals.<\/p>\n\n\n<section class=\"widget team_in_body main-team-block\">\n    <h2 class=\"widget-title\">Put our highly experienced team on your side<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"textwidget\">\n\n        <div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/dr-nick-oberheiden\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/150716_0172.1-Nick-Oberheiden-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dr. Nick Oberheiden\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Dr. Nick Oberheiden<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Founder<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation\">Attorney-at-Law<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/lynette-byrd\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Byrd_Lynette_400x600.jpg\" alt=\"Lynette S. Byrd\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Lynette S. Byrd<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former DOJ Trial Attorney <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation\">Partner<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/brian-j-kuester\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Kuester_Brian_400x600.jpg\" alt=\"Brian J. Kuester\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Brian J. Kuester<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former U.S. Attorney<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation\"> <\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/hon-kevin-mccarthy\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KevinMcCarthy400x600-280x420.png\" alt=\"Kevin McCarthy\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Hon. Kevin McCarthy<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation\">Government Consultant<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/hon-mike-pompeo\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/mike-pompeo-200X300.jpg\" alt=\"Mike Pompeo\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Mike Pompeo<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Of Counsel<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation\">Former U.S. Secretary of State<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/john-w-sellers\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Sellers_John_200x300.jpg\" alt=\"John W. Sellers\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>John W. Sellers<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/linda-julin-mcnamara\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/McNamara_Linda_400x600.jpg\" alt=\"Linda Julin McNamara\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Linda Julin McNamara <br \/><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Federal Appeals Attorney<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/nicholas-b-johnson\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/NickJohnson-no-background-112x168-1.png\" alt=\"Nicholas B. Johnson\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Nicholas B. Johnson<br \/><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former Prosecutor<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/roger-bach\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Bach_Roger_200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Roger Bach\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Roger Bach <br \/><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former Special Agent (DOJ)<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/chris-j-quick\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/200x300.png\" alt=\"Chris Quick\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Chris J. Quick<br \/><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former Special Agent (FBI &amp; IRS-CI)<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/michael-s-koslow\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Koslow-200x300-1-e1576008304602.png\" alt=\"Michael S. Koslow\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Michael S. Koslow<br \/><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/ray-yuen\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/Attorney-A-_200x300-e1573513166758.png\" alt=\"Ray Yuen\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<h5>Ray Yuen<br \/><\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"designation designation2\" style=\"color:#ef780a;\">Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<style>\n.team_in_body h5 { margin-bottom:0; }\n.team_in_body p { margin-bottom:0; }\n.single_blog_page .widget img { margin:0!important; margin-bottom:5px!important; }\n<\/style>\n\n\n<h2>Don\u2019t Delay: Schedule a Free Consultation with the Driven DEA Suspensions and Revocations Attorneys from Oberheiden, P.C. Today<\/h2>\n<p>If the DEA has recently served you with an Order to Show Cause or an Immediate Suspension Order, or if you have been advised by the DEA to surrender your registration, we urge you to <strong><a href=\"\/contact\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">contact Oberheiden, P.C.<\/a><\/strong> for a <strong>free and confidential consultation<\/strong> right away.<\/p>\n<p>Our federal DEA defense lawyers are available seven days a week, even on weekends, to talk about your case and how we might help.&nbsp; Our attorney\u2019s federal law services are available across the nation; Oberheiden, P.C. represents practices and practitioners facing DEA investigations all across the country.<\/p>\n<div style=\"font-weight: bold; text-align: center; margin-bottom: 20px;\">Oberheiden, P.C.<br \/><a class=\"_ps2id\" href=\"tel:8886801745\" data-ps2id-offset=\"\">888-680-1745<\/a><br \/><a href=\"\/\">Federal-Lawyer.com<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 25px;\">\n<p>This information has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This information may constitute attorney advertising in some jurisdictions. Reading of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee similar future outcomes. Oberheiden P.C. is a Texas PC with headquarters in Dallas. Mr. Oberheiden limits his practice to federal law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Federal DEA Suspension and Revocation Defense Attorneys \u2013 Oberheiden, P.C.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dedicated Federal Legal Counsel for Healthcare Practitioners Facing DEA Revocations and Suspensions In nearly any situation involving the federal government, United States agencies are not allowed to simply strip individuals or businesses of their rights, licenses, or legal statuses without a good reason for doing so \u2014 and those reasons must be clearly demonstrated as &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/healthcare\/healthcare-compliance\/dea-matters\/suspensions-revocations\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;DEA Suspensions and Revocations&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":60,"menu_order":178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/healthcare-defense-child.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_mo_disable_npp":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8152","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"acf":[],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Federal Lawyer","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8152"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95955,"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8152\/revisions\/95955"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/60"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/federal-lawyer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}