Domestic violence is an attempt or threat to use physical force against another domestic resident. It is usually a misdemeanor but can result in a felony charge, depending on the specifics of your case.
While some consequences of a domestic violence conviction are obvious, others may be less so. In addition to potential jail time, fees and fines, there is serious collateral damage that a domestic violence conviction can cause, including:
- Limits in where you can reside
- Limits in employment options
- Limits on what you can do in life
For example, having a domestic violence conviction means you will have a criminal record. That conviction will show up in a background check. This will likely impact the type of job you can apply for; any job offers you receive and potentially your ability to obtain a promotion or a leadership role.
Collateral consequences
Having a criminal record and this specific kind of conviction can limit the places you can be in. For example, you may be denied the ability to work with or be around children and women, or to choose a particular profession, like a teacher, police officer or firefighter.
In addition to the legal consequences, this conviction will remain with you for a long time, if not for the rest of your life, and can also impact your personal life.
Personal relationships
Let’s say you undergo anger management treatment and have cleaned up your act in recent years. While you may feel confident in your ability to control your actions and not get in trouble with the law again, this may not necessarily be how others see it.
A domestic violence conviction could easily get in the way of creating new relationships, partnerships, and even having children. While anger management courses and treatment are often effective, they may not be sufficient for some individuals to feel comfortable establishing relationships with you.