Potential Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction

Among all of the potential crimes one might be accused of, there are few with more far-reaching implications than a domestic violence conviction. Even relatively minor domestic violence allegations can carry major consequences for the accused, and a conviction can result in consequences that follow a defendant long after they have served their time. Here are five potential consequences of a domestic violence conviction:

1. Orders of protection
   • Orders of protection, also known as restraining orders, are commonly used in domestic violence cases to protect victims from their abusers. They work by restricting the people and places the subject of the order can go, and may also impose restrictions on their ability to communicate with the person being protected. For people accused or convicted of domestic violence, however, this can mean major difficulties in their work and personal lives, and may even mean moving to comply with the order.
2. Divorce and other family issues
   • Aside from the potential criminal implications, people convicted of domestic violence charges may find evidence of those crimes showing up in family court. Not only can it potentially be used as grounds for divorce, but it may also impact important aspects of any divorce proceedings. This could mean a much harder time getting child custody or visitation rights, and may potentially result in more lopsided judgments when it comes to issues like equitable distribution of marital property or child support obligations.
3. Loss of access to firearms
   • If you are convicted of a domestic violence crime in New York, even if it is only a misdemeanor, you may be forced to hand over any firearms you own. In addition, you may be banned from legally purchasing or owning firearms in the state. If you attempt to purchase a firearm when you legally cannot, or are merely found to own a gun you should not have, you may face further criminal charges for illegal possession of a gun.
4. Difficulties seeking employment
   • Suffice it to say that having a domestic violence charge in your past can make it significantly harder to get a job. This is because many employers require disclosing any previous criminal convictions, and many others perform criminal background checks on their employees. In addition, many professional licenses require disclosing your criminal history, which can make it harder to start a new career path.
5. Potential immigration consequences
   • If you are a legal immigrant, however, you may face even worse consequences. Domestic violence crimes are often considered to be “crimes of moral turpitude,” meaning they carry the risk of losing your legal immigration status. If that happens, you may face deportation as a result of your conviction.

If you or someone you know has been arrested for a criminal offense, you will need legal counsel to help you preserve your rights and work to get the best possible outcome for your matter. A New York criminal defense lawyer, who is experienced in handling criminal cases of all sorts, can advise you of your legal rights and will fight for your best interests in court. If you or your loved one has been arrested, contact the Suffolk County criminal defense attorneys at McGuire, Peláez and Bennett at (631) 348-1702.