Opinion ID: 1179653
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: several important professional and personal-status interests are presently protected by the clear-and-convincing standard of persuasion

Text: Our concern here is not whether Johnson should be initially licensed for the practice of dentistry but rather to define the standard of persuasion [3] that is to govern in proceedings which affect his conferred license. [4] In the latter process Johnson's stake is different from that in the former. It takes the shape of a constitutionally protected property interest which may not be revoked sans procedural due process. A person's professional license no longer may be treated as a mere privilege  something the King [government] may both create and take away at will. [5] Both federal and Oklahoma's extant jurisprudence protect holders of various professional licenses and personal-status interests whenever the individual's interest at stake represents something more substantial than mere loss of money. [6] Clear and convincing evidence is required to affect a shorthand reporter's license. [7] The Bar Association must prove a lawyer's violation of professional responsibility by clear and convincing evidence as a precondition to imposition of discipline. [8] Parental status may not be terminated except by clear and convincing proof. [9] The existence of an unsolemnized, non-ceremonial (common law) marriage must be established by clear and convincing proof. [10] III