A domestic assault charge is a serious crime with severe penalties and fines. But the costs do not stop there. A conviction carries with it life-long personal and professional consequences. If you have been charged with domestic violence, a skilled attorney can help you understand the repercussions and provide you with your best course of legal action.
What Are the Consequences?
Most often, the pressures and demands of court dates and potential jail time cause clients convicted of domestic assault to lose their current job. But finding a new job is never easy when you have a criminal record, especially one involving assault. It might be tempting to lie on a job application, but I assure you this is never a wise choice. Technology has only aided an employer’s ability to do quick and thorough background screenings. If they’ve discovered you have lied, you will immediately be passed over. The trouble is that reporting an assault conviction will almost certainly paint you as a person who lacks moral character. Unfair as it may be, employers will see you as a potential risk. They have no reason to take a chance on you if here are other candidates on the table.
What’s worse, if your career is in a field requiring professional licenses, most states will revoke your license upon conviction. Nationwide, domestic assault is considered a crime of “moral turpitude,” and laws are in place to protect public industries from employing people with an assault on their record. For people employed in fields like education, healthcare, accounting, law, construction, or many more, a conviction is career-ending.
It is nearly impossible to maintain a position of authority if your assignment involves top-secret security clearance. So, for military personnel job loss is almost inevitable. Where the public trust is concerned, especially in government roles, an assault conviction is dangerous ground. Convictions can also lead to international travel restrictions that would bar you from the armed services or other jobs. If you are thrown out of the military, you will likely also be prohibited from reenlisting.
What Can You Do?
If you are tried and convicted of assault, the public will view this as conclusive evidence of your guilt. Therefore, the best course of action is to avoid conviction. Through plea bargains, abuse treatment programs, probation, or other options, it is possible to keep your permanent record clean. All you need is a knowledgeable attorney who is willing to fight for your rights. If your attorney has experience in domestic assault cases, they can review the evidence more thoroughly, ask the right questions, and find the right witnesses to clear your name. If charges are not dropped, a knowledgeable attorney can fight more aggressively in court to reach a deal that does not jeopardize your future.
If you have been charged with domestic assault, consider the short-term and long-term consequences. With so much to lose, find a defense attorney who can work on your behalf to minimize the effects a conviction or possibly absolve you of the charges. Your lawyer will be your best ally in making the decisions that will affect you for the rest of your life.