Protecting The Reputations And Livelihoods Of Devoted Educators

Last updated on January 23, 2026

It has perhaps never been harder to be a teacher than it is today. In addition to limited salaries, teachers must contend with nearly constant public scrutiny and criticism from students and parents alike – sometimes with little to no support from school administrators. In this highly visible profession, rumors and accusations can destroy careers.

If you are a Florida teacher/professor facing accusations of professional or personal misconduct from your school district, the Florida Department of Education or your college or university, you shouldn’t face this crisis alone. Instead, seek the help of an experienced education law attorney like Richard Asselta of Asselta Law P.A.

Fighting For Teachers On All Fronts

Mr. Asselta has been practicing law for more than 20 years. As such, he is ready to help you weather nearly any professional crisis, including issues such as:

• Allegations of personal misconduct (including private social media posts, substance abuse, lying or omitting information on applications, etc.)
• Allegations that you abused/assaulted one or more students
• Allegations that you were involved in an inappropriate romantic or sexual relationship with a student
• Allegations that you failed to properly supervise students
• Challenging and appealing the receipt of a Notice of Reasons denying you a teaching certificate
• Accusations of academic/scholarly misconduct regarding research and other professional accomplishments
• Protecting your due process rights in employment matters
• Ensuring that a bad outcome or disciplinary decision at one school does not derail your entire career

Attorney Asselta has a long history of helping teachers facing unfair or wrongful charges and accusations. That’s one of the primary reasons he has devoted his practice to education law.

Filling An Important Gap In Educator Representation

For better and sometimes worse, many teachers in Florida are union members. As such, they have access to a union-provided attorney when facing accusations or charges. But private-pay teachers often have no such protection.

Attorney Asselta does not work with unions but instead represents individual educators who otherwise have limited legal options or would rather have the assistance of a private attorney instead of one assigned by the unions. If you are in such a situation, Asselta Law P.A. may be the firm for you.

Frequently Asked Questions On Teacher License Defense

If you are a Florida educator facing disciplinary action or under investigation, it is important to understand the various outcomes that can affect your teaching license. The Florida Department of Education (DOE) takes professional conduct seriously, and the consequences of an investigation can vary depending on the circumstances and findings. Here are answers to common questions educators have about these issues:

What is the difference between a reprimand, suspension and revocation of a Florida teaching license?

A reprimand is the least severe disciplinary action that serves as a formal warning on your record. It does not limit your ability to teach, but it is public and may influence future employment decisions.

On the other hand, a suspension is more serious, involving the temporary removal of your teaching license for a specified period, during which you cannot legally teach in Florida.

However, a revocation is the most severe action. It can either be a permanent termination of your teaching license or a revocation of your license for a specific period of time. If revoked for a period of time, the educator would have to reapply for a new certificate and complete all of the requirements again.

Can I continue teaching while under investigation?

In many cases, yes. You can continue teaching during the investigation process. However, this depends on the nature of the allegations and whether the DOE or your school district imposes any administrative leave or restrictions.

If the alleged conduct involves student safety or criminal behavior, your district may place you on leave or reassign you to a non-teaching position pending the outcome of the investigation.

How do Florida’s educator ethics standards impact license defense cases?

Florida’s Code of Ethics for the Education Profession outlines high standards for professional conduct, including honesty, integrity and respect for students and colleagues.

Violations of these standards can form the basis for disciplinary actions, even if no criminal charges are filed. In license defense cases, the DOE will evaluate whether the educator’s conduct breaches these ethical guidelines, which can heavily influence the severity of the outcome.

What are the potential outcomes of a teacher license defense case in Florida?

Outcomes range from no action taken to serious penalties like suspension or revocation. A case may be dismissed if no wrongdoing is found, or it could result in the following:

• A settlement agreement
• A letter of reprimand
• Mandated professional development
• Probation
• More severe sanctions

The final decision depends on factors such as the nature of the violation, previous disciplinary history and the facts of the specific case.

Contact A Trusted And Highly Experienced Attorney Today

Based in Plantation, Asselta Law P.A. serves educators throughout the state of Florida. To discuss your case during a free initial consultation, email the firm or call 855-338-5299.