Domestic violence may involve altercations among family members, intimate partners and those who live together. People accused of domestic violence may worry that taking the case to trial could cause lasting reputation damage.
They might consider pleading guilty to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. When defendants are aware of the possible consequences of a guilty plea, they may see the value in fighting the charges they face. There are multiple types of consequences possible after a domestic violence conviction, including the three briefly explained below.
1. Criminal penalties
Assault, including domestic or family violence, is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense. The potential criminal penalties include up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines. Repeat offenders and those accused of offenses with aggravating factors, such as the use of a weapon, may potentially face felony charges with more serious penalties.
2. Career setbacks
A violent criminal conviction can have a strong negative impact on an individual’s future opportunities. Every employer, landlord and educational institution considering an individual’s application may perform a background check. Many parties specifically exclude those with violent convictions.
3. Child custody complications
An act of domestic violence does not need to involve children to affect a parent’s relationship with them. Judges hearing contested custody cases try to make choices that are in the children’s best interests. They may limit the parenting time of an adult with a violent criminal conviction or might even order supervised parenting time.
Fighting domestic violence charges can help people avoid the worst possible consequences. The support of a defense attorney can help those accused of domestic violence evaluate their options for a defense strategy.
