What type of penalties are issued for failing to report felony/misdemeanor charges?

In the context of failing to report felony or misdemeanor charges within the practice of optometry in Arizona, civil penalties are the appropriate consequences. These penalties are designed to address violations of legal or regulatory obligations that do not rise to the level of criminal conduct but still require accountability and corrective action.

Civil penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of licenses, or other remedial actions. They serve as a means to maintain professional standards and ensure that practitioners are adhering to ethical and legal requirements. The intent is not to punish an individual in a criminal sense, but rather to uphold the integrity of the profession and protect the public.

In contrast, criminal penalties typically involve fines, incarceration, or other sanctions imposed by criminal courts for unlawful behaviors, while administrative penalties are specific actions taken by regulatory boards against professionals for violating state laws or administrative regulations. Monetary fines only would be a subset of potential penalties and do not encompass the broader range of civil repercussions that may apply in cases of professional misconduct, including the non-reporting of legal issues.