In the past few decades, domestic violence has become a serious issue, and the court system is cracking down on those convicted of a domestic violence offense. If you have recently been charged with a domestic violence offense, it is imperative to contact a criminal defense attorney who specializes in these types of cases as soon as possible.

An experienced attorney may be able to possibly get the charges dismissed or negotiate a favorable plea deal that results in the charges being dropped after you successfully complete a court ordered anger management course. There are many reasons that you want to do whatever you can to avoid a domestic violence conviction-- some of the negative consequences of a domestic violence offense on your record include:

Loss of 2nd Amendment Rights

In 1996 the U.S. Congress passed a law that prohibits anyone with a domestic violence conviction from owning, transporting, using, or selling ammunition or firearms. This law is still in effect, and there is no reason to believe that it will be overturned any time in the near future. It does not matter if the domestic violence offense was a felony or a misdemeanor, and the loss of 2nd Amendment rights is permanent. This can be a very serious consequence for anyone in the military or law enforcement, as you legally will not be able to use a gun and will have to find new employment.

Inability to Get Fingerprint Clearance

There are many types of jobs that require a person to get a fingerprint clearance card before they can begin working. Some of these jobs include teachers, anyone employed by a school with minor students, home health care workers, nursing home workers, and many government positions. In many cases, a fingerprint clearance card is also required if you want to volunteer at your child's school or assist as a coach for youth sports. If you have a domestic violence conviction, you will not be able to pass the background check to get a new fingerprint clearance card or to have your current card renewed.

Difficulty Securing Employment

In this day and age, many companies do background checks before a person is officially offered a job. While having a domestic violence conviction will not automatically prevent you from getting a job, it will come up on your record anytime a potential employer does a background check. There is the possibility that some employers will offer a position to an equally qualified candidate without a criminal record compared to a person with a domestic violence conviction. 

For more information and advice about working through a domestic violence charge, contact an attorney such as John L Tackett.