It is hard enough to be accused of domestic battery, let alone be convicted of it. A domestic battery conviction carries serious legal penalties, which means that you may be subjected to jail time, probation, and costly fines. However, it is not just the criminal penalties that one who has a domestic battery conviction must endure; it is also the inevitable collateral consequences affecting jobs, housing, and one’s reputation.
Individuals who are charged with domestic battery in Illinois need the strongest and most experienced legal defense to avoid the harshest, wide-reaching repercussions of a conviction.
The Cook County domestic violence attorneys at Glasgow & Olsson can assist you and help you mount an aggressive legal defense tailored to the specific details of your case and aimed at securing for you the best possible outcome.
Below, you can see how a domestic battery conviction can cause indirect, collateral consequences that can make it extremely difficult to rebuild your life.
Employment
It can be very difficult to maintain your lifestyle, advance your career, or even find gainful employment to keep you afloat if you are convicted of domestic battery. The impact a conviction can have on your employment opportunities is one of the most significant repercussions that you may encounter. This is particularly true when you are applying for or trying to stay in an industry or profession where trust, safety, or professional licensing is necessary. Think teachers, doctors, law enforcement, and more. In many states, including Illinois, professional licenses and certifications may be denied or suspended as a result of a domestic battery conviction. Even where jobs do not require licensing, private employers may choose not to work with someone with a violent criminal record for many reasons, including potential liability risks.
Housing
It is not uncommon for landlords and property management companies to run criminal background checks during the rental application process. A domestic battery conviction shows erratic behavior and a history of violence, which can result in the applicant looking like too much of a risk, and in return, applications can be denied, lease terms restricted, or higher deposits required. Further, individuals who rely on public or subsidized housing could face eviction or denied eligibility.
Education and licensing Barriers
Colleges, universities, and trade schools usually all conduct background checks during admissions, and a domestic battery conviction can lead to severe collateral consequences, such as denied readmission, loss of scholarships, or rejection from certain programs.
Professional licensing boards, like those that are in place for nurses or lawyers, for instance, may require disclosure of criminal history. It is very possible that if you have a domestic battery conviction, you may experience a revocation or denial of your professional license.
Personal
Your reputation, your relationships, and your standing in your local community can be severely damaged by a domestic battery conviction. This is especially true in today’s society, where news travels fast on social media. It likely will not take long for others to hear the details of your case, and based on the reporting of the details, develop their own perception of you and what you may or may not have done. In such situations, friends, coworkers, family, and others may want to distance themselves from you, and you may feel quite isolated and alone.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
The collateral consequences of a domestic battery conviction in Illinois can be substantial and alter the course of your life in a negative way. It is imperative that you have effective legal counsel supporting you and helping you during such an uncertain and perilous time.
When you need an attorney, experience matters.
At Glasgow & Olsson, our firm was built on trust. And we stand by that trust in every courtroom, for every client, in every moment.
Speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney today to learn how we can get you the results you deserve.