Altercations between family members, roommates or intimate partners can result in domestic violence allegations. If one of the people reports the matter to the police or concerned observers contact local authorities, those involved in disputes that become physical could face domestic violence charges.
People accused of domestic violence often feel embarrassed and anxious about the future. They may think that pleading guilty is the best solution, as it limits their time in court and may help them avoid the attention of a criminal trial.
Defendants who plead guilty to criminal charges must endure the penalties that the courts decide to impose. What they may not realize is that they have to face an assortment of collateral consequences that could affect them for years. The following are some of the risks associated with a domestic violence conviction.
Difficulty passing background checks
Criminal records tend to have a chilling effect on career opportunities and even educational options. Employers, universities and scholarship organizations typically perform background checks. In some cases, a criminal conviction can completely eliminate certain opportunities for individuals. Other times, a blemish on a criminal record can be the deciding factor when organizations or educational institutions have to select one candidate from a pool of multiple qualified parties.
Potential custody issues
When domestic violence occurs between romantic partners and does not involve any children, people may assume that a prior offense has little bearing on their parental rights. However, family law judges hearing contested custody cases can consider domestic violence convictions when determining how to allocate parental rights and responsibilities. In fact, lawmakers recently expanded the law addressing this issue and mandated training for family court professionals so that they can better evaluate and handle custody cases involving domestic violence. In scenarios where children could be at risk or when they witnessed domestic violence, the courts may limit the parental rights of a parent who has a prior domestic violence conviction.
Professional licensing concerns
Many of the best-paid professions require specialized training or education. Professionals have to secure a state-issued license to work in that field. Criminal convictions can prevent people from securing or renewing professional licenses in some cases. Those who have current licenses could be at risk of facing discipline by their licensing authority over a violence-related criminal conviction.
Individuals accused of domestic violence can avoid criminal penalties and secondary consequences by responding assertively and avoiding a conviction successfully. Mounting a vigorous criminal defense strategy can help defendants avoid the worst-case scenario after a domestic violence arrest.