Some people worry so much about jail time when facing a criminal charge that they overlook other, very serious consequences. Having a criminal record of any sort can impact your life for years to come, unless you eventually expunge the records. Prospective and current employers, as well as educational institutions, may treat you differently because of your record.
Any criminal charge can impact your professional success, but violent offenses can do significant damage to your income and professional prospects. Domestic violence is among the most common of all violent offenses, and it can have a major impact on your future.
Not only are there consequences immediately following your arrest, such as being unable to get to work because you are in state custody, but there can also be major consequences for having a criminal record as well. What are two of the ways that domestic violence charges could directly affect your career?
RESTRICTIONS MAY LIMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
Domestic violence charges often go hand in hand with protective orders. If the other person involved asks the courts for such an order, the restrictions it creates may affect your employment. For example, if you have to be a certain distance from your ex, working in the office building next to where they work might violate the order and put you at risk of an arrest.
On the other hand, if you work in security, law enforcement or the military, a domestic violence conviction could affect your legal right to own a firearm. You could be unable to perform the basic responsibilities of your job and might lose your employment as a result.
YOUR EMPLOYER MAY HAVE A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY
Many companies include rules about employee conduct in their handbooks or contracts. If your employer has a rule against criminal convictions, then pleading guilty might mean that you subsequently lose your job as well.
Even if you avoid missing work and do not directly inform your employer, they could discover the issue when performing a routine background check while considering you for a promotion. You might end up losing your job when you were on the cusp of moving into a better position.
Learning about the possible consequences of a domestic violence charge can help you fight back in criminal court and avoid the record that could damage your professional prospects.
