Domestic violence charges are serious, and courts around the country are cracking down on those who are arrested for these types of offenses. If you have been charged with a domestic violence offense, it is essential to hire a good criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible. Failure to have legal counsel can reduce your chances of getting the charges dismissed or being offered a favorable plea deal. Being convicted of a domestic offense charge has serious consequences, such as:
Loss of 2nd Amendment Rights
Few people know that a domestic violence conviction, even if the charge is a misdemeanor, results in a permanent loss of 2nd Amendment Rights. The United States Congress passed the Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban in 1997, and it does not appear that the law will be repealed any time soon. Under the gun ban, domestic violence offenders are prohibited from shipping, transporting, owning, or using firearms or ammunition. If you are in the military or law enforcement, a domestic violence conviction can threaten your career.
Inability to Get a Fingerprint Clearance Card
Many professions, such as those involved in education, social work, and some medical jobs, require a person to obtain a fingerprint clearance card before they can be employed. If you have a domestic violence charge on your record, you will not be able to get a fingerprint clearance card. In the event that you already have a fingerprint clearance card for your job, you will not be able to renew it if you have a domestic violence conviction. This fact can greatly impact your career, especially if you spent a lot of time and money going to school in order to enter a specific profession.
Difficulty Getting a Good Job
In this day and age, most employers use background checks to learn more about a person before offering them employment. When you have a domestic violence conviction, it will haunt you for a long time and will always show up on any background check that a company does on you. Your conviction may lead to an equally qualified candidate who does not have a criminal record getting hired instead of you.
Problems Renting
Like employers, landlords also use background checks to screen tenants. Having a domestic violence conviction may make landlords uncomfortable or nervous about renting to you, and it is possible that other potential tenants without any convictions will be chosen over you when renting a property. Contact a lawyer, such as Maury K Cutler, for more information.
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