Unit 6 Flashcards
A unit under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Is charged with the responsibility of investigating real estate complaints.
Division of Real Estate
To determine action and a remedy for a complaint under Florida law, 8 basic steps must be taken:
- Complaint
- Investigation
- Probable Cause
- Formal Complaint
- Informal Hearing
- Formal Hearing
- Final Order
- Judicial Review
Who can file a complaint with the Department against a licensee and where must it be filed?
Anyone can file a complaint with the Department against a licensee. A complaint is filed with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
If the complaint is in writing and signed by the complainant, who is charged with the responsibility of investigation?
The DBPR is charged with the responsibility of investigation.
When the investigation is complete, it is the responsibility of the _________ to determine the guilt or innocence of a licensee or potential licensee.
FREC
The _______ may also investigate on its own or investigate an anonymous complaint if the circumstances dictate (meaning that an immediate danger to the public exists).
DBPR
A complaint must be legally sufficient to be investigated. What does this mean?
This means that the complaint must allege that a violation of Florida Statute, DBPR rule or FREC rule has occurred.
Occasionally, a complaint may be withdrawn by the person making the original charges, how does the DBPR handle this?
The DBPR may stop the investigation or may pursue it and the Commission will take appropriate action. If criminal activity is suspected, the Department may proceed with the investigation without notifying anyone who is under investigation.
In some cases for a minor violation the Department may issue a ___________. When does a violation fall under this?
Notice of Noncompliance; when it is a first time offense, providing that this offense does not endanger the public.
When is a citation issued?
If a violation is not corrected or the licensee does not comply in a timely manner, a Citation is issued with a fine, if warranted.
What if a violation is not listed in the citation rules?
Disciplinary hearings will proceed.
An emergency suspension order.
Summary suspension
By whom and when is an emergency suspension ordered?
An emergency suspension is issued by the Secretary of the DBPR when the public is in immediate danger from the actions of the licensee.
What is an emergency suspension followed by?
The suspension must be followed by action by the FREC.
What does the DBPR not investigate?
Violations of Ethics do not fall under the DBPR’s investigation criteria (this is settled by the local association of REALTORS®) nor do items which are considered to be scruples or morals as they cannot be enforced either.
The DBPR only investigates a:
Law or rule
An _________ is appointed if the DBPR feels that the complaint is legally sufficient; or that after preliminary inquiry, feels that alleged violations are true; or, if the alleged violations are significant.
An investigator
When would the DBPR appoint an investigator?
If the DBPR feels that the complaint is legally sufficient; or that after preliminary inquiry, feels that alleged violations are true; or, if the alleged violations are significant.
What are the next steps once an investigator is appointed?
A copy of the complaint is sent to the licensee or the licensee’s attorney and the licensee will have an opportunity to answer the complaint against him. The answer is given to a Probable Cause Panel, investigating the case. DBPR adds its recommendation and forwards to the FREC Probable Cause Panel.
What are the next steps if the Probable Cause Panel finds the complaint to be criminal?
If the complaint is found to be criminal, it is forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for resolution.
All information obtained in a complaint is confidential until when?
All the information obtained is considered confidential until 10 days after probable cause is found.
Investigators for the Department are allowed by law to:
Demand information from anyone and have subpoena* power from that department, if needed, for the investigation. Seek any records, documents or witnesses pertinent to the investigation.
Once investigated, what does the investigator do?
Report his findings in a written report for the probable cause panel.
What is an investigator not allowed to include in his report?
Not allowed any expression of personal feelings. All of findings must be Objective.
Who makes up the Probable Cause Panel?
Two members of the FREC. Only one of the FREC can be a lay member (one of the non-licensed members of the Commission) of the two and it may include the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. The panel could also include former commissioners, with one of the panel being current.
What is the role of the Probable Cause Panel?
The two members act as a grand jury: they determine if they believe there is a law violation- not guilt or innocence. They review all the evidence and listens to Department staff attorney’s recommendations. They recommend whether to take further action or dismiss the case to the DBPR.
Who appoints the two members of the Probable Cause Panel?
The Chairperson
A legal order requiring a person to appear before the courts to give testimony.
subpoena
Who reviews the investigator’s report and receives the investigation of the DBPR?
The Probable Cause Panel
How long does the Probable Cause Panel have to make a decision?
The panel is required to meet and make a decision within 30 days.
Why don’t other members of the FREC attend the hearings of the Probable Cause Panel?
They could be called upon at a later date to make judgment on the case if it advances.
Is the Probable Cause Panel hearing open to the public?
The hearing is not open to the public.
What is the only purpose of the Probable Cause Panel?
Its only purpose is to decide if a probable cause (a law violation) has occurred.
What happens if the Probable Cause Panel does not meet within the 30 day time frame?
If it does not meet within this time, the Department may make the decision.
What happens if the panel does not believe probable cause exists?
If the panel does not believe probable cause exists, the panel may dismiss the case or it may issue a letter of guidance about the matter to the person charged.
What could the Department do if the panel does not believe a probable cause exists?
The Department may refer the case to the FREC and the FREC may obtain its own independent counsel and continue the investigation.
How long does the Department have to override the decision of the panel and file its own charges?
10 days
What are the next steps if the panel believes there is probable cause?
The panel tells the Department to file a formal complaint against the licensee.
If the panel believes there is probable cause and the Department files a formal complaint, the licensee is entitled to:
The licensee (with his legal counsel) is entitled to a formal or informal hearing.
If probable cause is found, a _________ is filed against the licensee involved.
formal or “administrative” complaint
The formal complaint clearly defines:
All of the charges against the licensee.
How long does the Department have to file a complaint?
A limitation of 5 years in which to file the complaint.
How is the licensee notified of a complaint and how long does he have to file an answer?
The licensee is notified in writing and has 20 days to file an answer.
What should the licensee be issued with the complaint?
An Election of Rights form
What is the difference between a formal and informal hearing?
The formal hearing is before an administrative law judge; the informal hearing will be held if there are no disputed facts in the case, before the FREC, usually during a regular meeting.
What does the Election of Rights form explain?
It will explain the hearing process.
Once a licensee receives a complaint, the licensee has the choice of a formal or informal hearing. A licensee who does not agree with the charges, even in part, MUST request a:
Formal hearing if he/she wishes to present his or her case.
In a formal or informal hearing, the licensee is entitled to:
Present his case and he may have legal counsel present.
What happens if the licensee agrees to the stipulation in the complaint?
It is a voluntary agreement between the Division of Real Estate and the licensee, which will then end the case. The licensee may also choose Voluntary Relinquishment for Permanent Revocation. These agreements will still be set before the FREC so that they may be recorded.
How can a licensee respond to a complaint?
He can disagree; agree to the stipulation; or he may choose to voluntarily relinquish his rights.
When is an informal hearing held?
An informal hearing is held at a meeting of the FREC, usually at its regular meeting time.
Why is an informal hearing held?
The licensee is given the opportunity to be heard, to bring witnesses to support his case.
What Commission members are present at the informal hearing?
Commission members who did not serve on the probable-hearing panel will be present.
When there is an agreement of the facts, or a stipulation or the issue is resolved between the FREC and the licensee, the findings are:
Put in writing and are recorded.
When there is a dispute or disagreement on the facts, the case will be:
Sent to an administrative law judge for a formal hearing to hear the case.