Domestic violence charges have some serious long-term consequences here in Texas, so if you’re being charged, don’t try to defend yourself on your own. The stakes are too high. Talk to a domestic violence attorney in San Antonio, TX as quickly as possible to make sure your defense is as strong as it can be. And if you’re being falsely accused, you need to act even more urgently. Don’t assume that the truth will simply “come out.” You need someone fighting on your side.

What Are the Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction?

Penalties Under the Law

Prison and Fines

Protective Orders

Depending on the situation, you may also have protective orders taken out against you. These may keep you from seeing the victim, your shared children, or even contacting any of them. The orders can also require you to move out of your own home, if you share it with the victim. 

Temporary orders of this nature can be issued very quickly on relatively little evidence if the victim can show they are in danger. If a temporary order like this is issued, it’s essential that you follow every restriction, even if you’re completely innocent. Temporary orders can’t last for too long, and in order for permanent orders to be put in place, there has to be a hearing. You’ll then be given the opportunity to fully defend yourself, and the person requesting the order will have to prove that it is appropriate. Talk to a lawyer right away and let your lawyer show the court your innocence rather than violating the order and risking more serious issues down the line.

Other Long-Term Consequences

All the legal penalties have the potential to create long-term consequences in themselves, but there are also consequences that are not specific penalties but very real and difficult to live with nonetheless. Here are a few to consider:

Divorce and Child Custody Proceedings

If you’re in the midst of a divorce, a conviction for domestic violence can have a serious impact on how your marital property gets divided. This is a reason you need to fight the charge as hard as you can with the help of a lawyer, and especially if a bitter spouse is bringing false charges against you in an attempt to get more of the assets. A conviction will also dispose the courts to rule against you when it comes to child custody and even potentially limit your ability to visit your children without supervision.

Job and Schooling

While not all jobs care about a domestic violence conviction, some definitely will. Many employers run background checks, and it’s common to deny employment to people who have been convicted of family violence or any other criminal offense that involves violence. This is often because an employer doesn’t want to end up responsible should an employee harm another employee or a customer. 

This can make it difficult to find work and may limit you to undesirable jobs. It may become impossible to get any kind of job working with children or the elderly. If you are in a public service job, such as a first responder, a healthcare worker, a daycare worker, a teacher, a bus driver, or an employee of the state, city, or county, you may lose your job if you get convicted of domestic violence, even if you don’t end up going to prison over it.

It can also be difficult to get further education with a domestic violence charge on your record. Some schools may not accept you at all into their programs, while others may accept you, but you will be ineligible for scholarships.

Legal Status and Housing

If you get convicted of domestic violence, you may lose your housing. If the home you live in currently is shared with the victim, even if your name is also on the lease or the deed, a judge can still order you to vacate it. And once that happens, it can get tough to find a new home. There are many landlords who do not rent to anyone with a domestic violence conviction. 

If you are not a permanent citizen of the United States, and even if you are here legally, you can still have your visa revoked, be deported, and be denied reentry if you’re convicted of a crime, including domestic violence.

Licenses

Reputation

Don’t underestimate the effect that a domestic violence charge is going to have on your general reputation. If you get convicted, this can affect your relationships with family, friends, and all throughout the community. While there may not be anything “official” that can be done to you by the community other than whatever legal penalties the court assesses, this kind of damaged reputation can take years to recover from, if recovery is possible at all. And along the way, it will make life just a lot more difficult than it needs to be.

Talk to a Domestic Violence Attorney in San Antonio, TX Today

If you’re being charged with domestic violence, don’t wait to get started on a strong defense. A lawyer will thoroughly investigate the matter for you, challenge the evidence that’s being brought, and help you explore all your options. Contact the Aida Rojas Law Firm in San Antonio today for help.