CONSEQUENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTION

Washington State Domestic Violence Attorneys 

The consequences of a domestic violence conviction can be life altering. The list of problems and challenges you will face is a long one, and includes:

• You can be sentenced to do JAIL or PRISON time. Serious domestic violence offenses can lead to sentences of several years in prison, and even allegations that don't involve actual violence can lead you to jail.
• You will be sentenced to PROBATION or COMMUNITY CUSTODY that can last two years or even longer. During this time you will have to report to your Probation Officer and prove your compliance will the conditions of your sentence.
• You can be ORDERED TO PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT. The Court may order you to participate in DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BATTERERS TREATMENT, which is a minimum of 30 sessions over the course of a year to a year and a half. If the Court believes you have a substance abuse problem you may also be ordered to participate in DRUG/ALCOHOL TREATMENT.
• You will lose your RIGHT TO POSSESS A FIREARM for life under federal law. This means that if you are found near a gun in the future you could be charged with a FELONY offense. This can also PREVENT ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMED FORCES, or employment as a police officer or security officer where your use of a gun is required.
• You may LOSE YOUR JOB OR HAVE TROUBLE GETTING SOME JOBS. A domestic violence conviction will need to be disclosed on all job applications and will be part of your background check for all employment.
• You may LOSE YOUR PROFESSIONAL OR BUSINESS LICENSES. A domestic violence conviction can lead to a loss of license for many professions including doctors, nurses, health care workers, day care operators, and many others. You may also lose your business license if you work in certain fields where State licensing and bonding are required.
• You may be DEPORTED or DENIED NATURALIZATION if you have a domestic violence conviction.

When the stakes are this high you can't afford to rely on a general practice attorney. At Rhodes & Meryhew we work on these challenging and complicated cases every day with proven results. Don't try to meet this challenge alone. Contact a lawyer at our firm today for a free initial consultation to be sure you are strongly defended.