The Life Impact of a Domestic Violence Battery Conviction
Being charged with domestic violence battery can have a lasting impact on your life, and the effects of a conviction are far harsher. In addition to leaving you with a criminal record, you could face jail time and lose your right to own or possess a gun. The social consequences of such charges can also be challenging.
If you are facing such a charge, it is in your best interest to consult our experienced domestic violence defense attorneys, sooner rather than alter, about the life impact of a battery conviction.
Domestic Battery Charges Are Common
One of the most commonly charged criminal offenses in the State of Florida is domestic battery. Something as simple as a disagreement with your spouse has the potential to escalate to such a degree that someone calls the police, you are under arrest, and you soon face domestic battery charges that could impact your life for years.
Domestic violence affects the lives of everyone involved. The charge of battery refers to intentionally touching or striking another person against their will or intentionally causing another person to suffer bodily harm. When the victim is included in one of the following categories, the charge of domestic battery applies:
- A current or former spouse
- Someone who is related by blood or marriage
- Someone who currently lives with you as part of your family or who used to
- Someone with whom you share a child
Domestic violence does not necessarily have to involve one of these individuals. Some examples of actions that qualify as domestic battery include grabbing the person by their arm and leaving a mark, throwing an object at them and leaving a bruise, or slapping them in the heat of an argument.
How These Charges Can Affect Your Life
If you have been charged with domestic battery, you face very serious legal and social consequences. Even a first-time misdemeanor charge of domestic battery can carry all the following penalties:
- Up to a year of jail time
- Up to a year of probation
- A no-contact order
- A 26-week Batterers’ Intervention Program (BIP)
- Loss of the right to buy, own, or possess a firearm
Because the courts cannot seal or expunge domestic battery records, you will also have a permanent criminal record.
Social Consequences
Once you have a criminal record, it becomes a matter of public information, so anyone interested and willing to do some research can locate it. As a result, a domestic battery conviction can tarnish your standing in the community.
Your Education
Your criminal record can also interfere with your ability to further your education. For example, an educational institution may reject your application to study there, you may not have access to financial aid options, and you may not have the right to live on campus.
Additionally, a conviction could impact your job prospects. Some employers make it their policy not to hire candidates with criminal records, while others give preference to those with clean records.
Your Career
If you are unable to complete your education because of a domestic battery conviction, the career you have chosen for yourself may become impossible to realize. Further, you could lose your professional license, as some licensing requirements include not having a criminal record.
Your Housing
Landlords and lending institutions can also take criminal records into consideration. This can make renting a place to live or obtaining approval for a home loan far more difficult.
Share Your Concerns About the Impacts a Domestic Assault Case Could Have on Your Life With an Experienced Lawyer
Our criminal defense attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm could help build a strong defense on your behalf, skillfully fight for your rights, and take the steps necessary to help shield you from the life impact of a domestic battery conviction. We have the experience and legal skill to help, and we welcome the chance to do so. For more information, please contact us online or call us today.
