California Courts take domestic violence cases seriously. A conviction can significantly impact your life for years to come, affecting everything from your freedom to your finances. Having experienced legal representation is critical to avoiding the worst consequences.
That’s where The Law Offices of Johnson & Johnson come in. We can explain the possible outcomes of a conviction and then get to work fighting for you. If you are facing domestic violence charges in Contra Costa County, let us represent your best interests.
Here are four potential consequences of a domestic violence conviction you should know about:
1. Legal Consequences
To begin with, the legal punishments can be severe, even for a misdemeanor conviction. You can expect the following:
- Jail time: For a misdemeanor, a domestic violence conviction can lead to up to one year in Contra Costa County jail. With a felony, you will be sent to state prison for longer. Your actual sentence will depend on the specific facts of the case.
- Probation: You should also expect to be sentenced to probation. This will limit your freedom and impose reporting requirements to a probation officer for quite some time.
- Fines: Fines can easily run into the thousands of dollars and are standard for domestic violence convictions.
- Mandatory intervention programs: California law also allows judges to sentence those convicted of domestic violence to intervention programs. These can last up to a year and can cost significant amounts of money to the person convicted.
2. Professional Consequences
A domestic violence conviction will also have adverse effects on your professional life, which in turn will impact your ability to earn a living. Here are some examples:
- Job loss: If your employer learns of the conviction, you could be fired. This is especially true if you work with vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, or the disabled.
- Lost or denied security clearance: If your job depends on having a security clearance, which is common for many government occupations, you will probably lose it (and with it, your job and future similar job opportunities).
- Licensing and certifications: Professional licenses and certifications in the legal, educational, healthcare, and other fields could be at risk following conviction in Contra Costa County.
- Stigma: Employers generally shun those who are convicted of domestic violence. It can become quite difficult to find stable employment, which means you will have a hard time making ends meet.
3. Gun Ownership Consequences
California law already heavily restricts gun ownership, and a domestic violence conviction will not make it easier. Here is what it means for you:
- Surrender of guns: You will have to surrender any firearms you own. This could affect your personal safety and the recreational use of guns.
- Prohibition on purchase: Naturally, a surrender also means you cannot purchase or acquire new firearms. This is an indefinite prohibition.
4. Reputation Consequences
Your reputation will take a major hit if you are convicted of domestic violence. You could see this manifested in various ways, including:
- Damage to your personal relationships: Your friends and family will probably be less welcoming once the stain of a conviction attaches. If you were convicted of violence against the parent of your child, your parental relationship may suffer for years.
- Difficulty with housing: Landlords in Contra Costa County and elsewhere generally rely on a person’s character when deciding to whom they should rent. This will be a problem for someone convicted of domestic violence.
- Trouble with education: If you attend or hope to attend college or a university, your character will also come into play with a domestic violence conviction. This may affect your future career potential.
The Value of Zealous Legal Defense
For these reasons and more, you simply cannot afford to defend yourself against domestic violence charges without competent legal representation. A committed attorney can develop a personalized legal strategy, explore plea deals, and advocate for your rights.
At The Law Offices of Johnson & Johnson, we understand what’s at stake in domestic violence cases. Let our team go to work and fight for your freedom and your future. Connect with our Contra Costa County office today to get started on your defense.