Domestic violence is a very serious and potentially life-changing charge. While it is appropriate and right to focus on protecting the victims, society also has a vital interest in understanding the devastating impact that accusations of this nature have on the accused, especially if the accusations are inflated or false.
Consequences are also, of course, disastrous for personal life, work, and official records. Here is how charges of domestic abuse can play out in various aspects of the accused personโs life:
1. Legal Consequences
A domestic violence charge can quickly lead to a complicated legal battle. The charges the accused can be issued with will vary depending on the severity of the alleged event, how injured the victim was, and whether there was a weapon involved.
If convicted, penalties the accused can face include time in jail, fines, legal fees, probation, required counseling, and protective orders.
Even before trial, restraining orders can reduce their movement and contact with the victim. The city of Riverside is one of the largest in the region and serves as a hub for the surrounding areas. However, like most urban areas in the country, itโs affected by incidents of domestic violence.
Which is why you will want to have a Riverside domestic violence defense attorney help you. A seasoned attorney can guide you through the many challenges and protect your rights as the alleged perpetrator.
2. Impact on Employment
Charges of domestic abuse can also ruin someoneโs career. Some employers may fire or suspend employees just for being charged, regardless of whether the accusations are later proven.
Certain jobs, particularly those that involve security clearances, professional licenses, or working with vulnerable populations, are particularly careful about such matters.
3. Damage to Reputation and Relationships
Shame and social stigma associated with abuse at home run very deep, and an accusation can stick forever.
You may face friends, family or members of the community who turn away, and find yourself excluded from certain aspects of society.
Relationships that are already strained will most likely worsen, and in cases where the accused is married, or has children, it can lead to devastating psychological damage.
4. Child Custody and Visitation Issues
If the defendant has children, such domestic abuse charges can have an immediate and long-lasting impact on custody orders.
Courts often move on the side of caution where abuse is concerned, and will suspend or restrict visitation rights.
Such restrictions are not conducive to an accused being able to maintain a good relationship with their children.
In custody trials, a criminal conviction or even pending criminal charges, can be introduced as evidence, with the potential of permanently losing custody.
5. Mental and Emotional Toll
To be falsely accused and charged with domestic abuse is not only a legal issue, it has strong personal and emotional implications.
The impact of criminal charges, public condemnation, and broken relationships can be psychologically devastating.
Many people who are accused of such actions experience anxiety, depression, isolation, and hopelessness.
This emotional burden is largely overlooked, but it can have an impact on every facet of a personโs life, even on their ability to defend themselves in court.
Take Away
Domestic assault charges come with repercussions that extend well beyond a courtroom. From criminal consequences to losing a job, strained relationships, and emotional harm, the consequences on the accused can be devastating, even if the allegations are never proven.
Anyone charged in such a situation should reach out to an attorney as soon as possible to protect their rights and manage the difficult path ahead.
