After Effects Of Domestic Violence Conviction 
(This information is for both males and females)

Many people believe being convicted for a DV offense is no big deal......Think again. Whether you are male or female, your life will never be the same.  Some of the normal privileges that you now so generously enjoy, and take for granted, will most definitely be stripped from you.   Read further to see how all of this can affect you in a negative way. Hopefully, if you are an abuser, you will change...get help to change after you read this.  

Public records and associated pains and penalties. 

1. Public employment:  You probably cannot hold any public service job, including teaching, nursing, social services, public office, etc. That is particularly true if you are with the police or fire department.

2. General employment:  You will probably lose any current job you have. Whatever your profession, statistics show there is about an 80% chance you will lose your job if convicted of domestic violence. That is specifically true if you are in a position that requires you to carry a weapon or handle or transport ammunition, explosives, or other hazardous materials, e.g. truck driver, mining, mineral exploration, construction.

3. Public records:  Your conviction is a matter of public record and you will find it extremely difficult to find another position except of the most menial kind. Even if the court agrees at the end of your probation to "seal" your records will typically remain on these databases as well as many others for the rest of your life.

We have never seen an example where a convicted offender's criminal records were not easily obtainable even though the individual claimed their records had been "sealed" or removed from public records. It is in the public interest that individual criminal records are easily obtainable.

4. Professional licenses:  You will likely lose any professional licenses, certificates, or bonds you may have, i.e., medical, legal, broker, teaching, securities, financial, commercial driver, airplane pilot, etc.

Obviously after a domestic violence conviction you will not be able to obtain any of these certificates or licenses in the future.

5. Child custody:  As a convicted domestic violence offender primary custody cannot pass to you. It is also common for children to end up in foster homes if their parent(s) are convicted of domestic violence.  A domestic violence conviction may often lead to a man being condemned to pay child support for children he is not the biological father of, and for children he does not, or cannot have contact with.

The law on paternity was slightly modified in 2008 but It is critical that paternity testing be done before any child support orders are entered.

6. Renting and leasing: Some state  laws  prohibits landlords from enforcing a lease or rental agreement when domestic violence is involved. Consequently, most will not rent or lease to anyone with a DV conviction.

7. Loans:  You may find it impossible to obtain a loan or buy a house with a domestic violence conviction on your record. Banks and mortgage companies have apparently suffered too many defaults after domestic violence was alleged in divorces so your credit rating will crater.

Generally student loans are not available to anyone with a domestic violence conviction.

8. Loss of home and bankruptcy:  Loss of employment, child support, and the expense of having to support two households typically means the family home will be sold or, at best, the wife will retain it and the husband pay for it after a domestic violence conviction.

The financial strain associated with these added burdens commonly leads to bankruptcy or, far too frequently, suicide.

So if you have been charged with domestic violence and haven't taken a plea bargain you had best consider getting a competent criminal defense attorney and defending yourself.

This is a continuation of our information series.

Besides a number of social problems and loss of privileges at the local level, if you are convicted of Domestic Violence you will also face Federal Penalties.
Federal Penalties 

1. Firearms and ammunition: You can never for the rest of your life legally, own, be in possession of, or in the vicinity of any firearm or ammunition 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9). For example, if you are in a car and there is a single bullet or shell in the car you are guilty of a federal felony with a mandatory 5 to 10 year sentence. This is true whether you are given a deferred or adjudicated sentence as those are still convictions under federal law.

Obviously you can never again get a hunting license but the law bars you from even being in a hunting camp with other armed hunters. Gun collections are also denied, nor can you be in a home with guns or ammunition present.

Note that cartridges used in nail guns are ammunition so that you cannot work many construction jobs. Exploration for and exploitation of minerals, e.g., oil, gas, mining, will be excluded as well. You will also be barred from interstate transport of hazardous materials as well. And this summary of federally excluded activities is by no means exhaustive.

2. Security clearance:  You will not be able to obtain a security clearance and may well lose any current clearance you have. That will bar you from working on any government facility or military base in any position, e.g., construction or food contractor, where sensitive or classified material or equipment is present.

3. Government employment:  You probably cannot hold any government job and may lose any current federal job you have. That is especially true if you are in a position that requires you to carry a weapon or handle or transport ammunition, explosives, or other hazardous materials, or that requires a security clearance.

4. Military:  You will be discharged from the military or not allowed to reenlist.

Note that we have also encountered cases where a serviceman was not allowed to reenlist because his wife was convicted of domestic violence.

5. Uniformed Services Former Spouses Protection Act (PL 97-252, 1982): Allows state divorce courts to divide as marital property any pension earned during the concomitant marriage/service period, regardless of fault, need, or independent wealth. It also penalizes a military member for perpetrating domestic violence on his civilian spouse/dependents by revoking any retirement benefits from him and providing these benefits to his victims.

1. Deported: If you are an immigrant, in the United States on a visa, or are an illegal alien, once convicted of domestic violence you can be deported. Under a 1996 federal law, that ruling applies whether you plead guilty, no contest, plea bargain, or accept a deferred judgement. You may also face charges of aggravated deportation and be required to serve up to ten years in a federal penitentiary before being deported.

The law requiring deportation also applies to a wide range of crimes ranging from manslaughter to misdemeanor drunken driving, as well as domestic violence.

With all this in mind, it is hoped that perpetrators of domestic violence will get help to stop this abusive behavior before you get arrested and convicted. 

It is also hoped, that with all these life changing penalties laid out, those who would file false charges for one reason or another, will reconsider what such false charges may do to the life of an innocent person, as they may be found guilty, depending on the king of  'fake evidence'  that is presented.

Domestic Violence Consequences - Even False Charges Matter.

If I did not witness this myself, I probably would never believe it. I was in the parking lot of a local area strip mall when a well dressed, woman drove up in an SUV and got out to stand in front of another car in the parking lot.  She left a child in the back seat and went pounding on the other car drivers' side window. 

The person in the car was hardly visible due to the tinted windows.  After pounding on the window for a while she walked towards her car, ripped her blouse, used her long fake nails to scratch her neck, chest and face, she slapped the child and he started screaming.  Then she got on her cell phone and started screaming and yelling for the police.  I doubt that the person in the other car noticed what she was doing as she was to the other side of her SUV.

I wasn't being nosy, but this was rather strange, so I got in my car and just decided to wait a while. Wow.  The police were there so fast and she pointed to the car where she was pounding on the window.  They swarmed the car and ordered the driver out.   A well dressed man got out and she yelled, 'yes it's him, he just beat me up and threatened to kill me.'  She even had the nerve to tell the police that the person sitting in that car,' me' saw him do it.  I told them I didn't see anything like that but they didn't give me a chance to say what  I did see.  

I wanted to tell them that she was the criminal for slapping the innocent child and making a false police report.  It really rested on me for a while, that anyone, a woman, a mom, would be so evil.  That anyone would exploit the judicial system to take revenge, punish, or victimize another person like that.  Mind you, I don't know what happened at the house, I only saw what happened in the parking lot.  The man did nothing wrong in the parking lot...he seemed to have been trying to protect himself from HER when he remained locked in his car.  

Well the police took a good look at her, and asked if she wanted the paramedics and to my amazement, she said yes.  They placed the man in handcuffs even though he kept telling them he did nothing wrong.  He left the house to get away from her and she followed him to the parking lot just to cause trouble. I felt sorry for him, because the police believed her as she had 'signs of abuse.'  

That innocent man was arrested for domestic violence and abuse, including child abuse because she told them he slapped the child too...  I certainly would testify on his behalf if I had gotten the chance.  The police believed the woman..because they told him, if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it is a duck!  So sad. 

I am putting this information here because I have heard some sad stories, and I have a very strong feeling that there are many of you out there, men and women, who are being victimized in this way.  My heart goes out to you if you are innocent and got hurt by a fake Domestic Violence charge.

Domestic violence is legally defined as abuse, threats, or violence that occurs within an intimate relationship.  Victims and offenders of domestic violence can be male or female.  This form of abuse can occur between spouses, intimate partners, siblings, or close relatives. 

In most cases, domestic violence is classified as a misdemeanor.  However, charges can be amplified if the offender somehow has a prior criminal record, has committed or has been accused of past domestic violence offenses, appears to have caused extensive bodily damage to the victim, or is accused of abusing a minor (person below the legal age), such as a child, or abuse of the elderly.  

Domestic Violence Consequences
If you are an abuser and hurt the people you are supposed to protect and love, you deserve to go to jail.  But if you are innocent, your life can be ruined with a fake charge.  Once a person is convicted of domestic violence in South Florida, he/she can be punished with: 

• jail time
• imprisonment
• fines
• community service
• probation
• mandatory counseling
• house arrest
• restraining orders

Protect Your Best Interests
If you are not an American citizen, this is really bad for you, because you can get deported.  This can also affect your ability to keep your present job, get a decent job or even make you become evicted, depending on where you are renting.  If  you work in health care, you may even end up loosing your license, and your ability to earn a decent living.

Due to the severity of the legal consequences involved, it is always to your benefit to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney after you have been charged with domestic violence.  For those of you who are innocent like that man mentioned above, pray for divine intervention.

I am strongly against Domestic Violence.  As a survivor of Domestic Violence myself, I am an advocate for all those who suffer from this disgusting epidemic, but I dislike injustice.  Too many of you are hurting legally because someone without a conscience did you wrong.  Pray to find it in your hear to forgive them.  Do not let it eat away at you.  God will provide healing and redemption.  He will pull you through ...if you are innocent.

By hiring a criminal defense attorney, who has successfully handled numerous other domestic violence cases, you will safeguard your best interests.  You will also be informed of any possible defenses involved in your case that could help you fight your domestic violence charges in court.  Additionally, you will ensure that your rights and future well-being are protected. 

Even if you are innocent, going to a trial by a judge, taking a suspended sentence, probation,...accepting any kind of plea, is just as bad as pleading guilty.  Contact an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney If you are innocent and have been charged with a domestic Violence Offense.  You need to be acquitted by a jury trial to prevent future legal ramifications.  You owe it to your future to take care of the situation correctly.  

I am an advocate for suffers and survivors of Domestic Violence.  This post was meant for informational purposes only.  If you need legal advice, you must find a qualified professional to handle your situation.

12 Traits of an Abusive Relationship

“My boyfriend is jealous. He gets furious when I won’t dump my friends and spend all of my free time with him,” the weeping woman shared with me. “I was so thrilled to have a devoted boyfriend that I ignored the warning signs of abuse. I convinced myself that he loved me, and that things would get better with time. I was wrong—completely wrong.” 

Christians often believe that domestic violence, abuse and manipulation doesn’t occur within the church, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sometimes men are portrayed as sadistic; however women can be equally dangerous. In an attempt to help singles avoid a destructive relationship or a painful marriage I offer insight on how to detect a toxic, abusive person.

An abuser is typically:

1. Charming. 
This person quickly smothers the other with gifts and praise. He/she immediately pushes for an exclusive relationship using phrases such as “I can’t live without you” or “I’ll kill myself if you leave.” A clear indication something is wrong.

2. Jealous.
He/she views others as a threat to the relationship and relentlessly accuses you of flirting. “I know you are having an affair.” The irony is that the abuser is usually the cheater.

3. Manipulative. 
Abuse and manipulation go hand-in-hand. This person easily detects vulnerability in others and uses it as a weapon to control, belittle and demean the victim. “You are weak and ugly; no wonder you were abused as a kid.” 

4. Controlling.
Constant checking on the whereabouts of the victim is a common trait for the abuser. “I check the mileage on your car. So don’t lie to me.” A male controller often refuses to let his girlfriend have a job, she might “meet someone.”

5. A Victim.
An abuser doesn’t take any responsibility for his/ her poor choices. They are never at fault. When she loses her job, or he gets into a fight, someone else is to blame. “You make me hit you” or “I drink because you stress me out.” 

6. Narcissistic.
The whole world revolves around the abuser and his/her needs. This person is invigorated by the fact that the victims “walks on eggshells” and live in fear of the next outburst.

7. Inconsistent. 
Mood swings are a common trait for an abuser. One minute he/she is happy and sweet, the next they are pounding a fist or throwing a tantrum.

8. Critical.
Verbally assaulting others is a way of life for the abuser. “You are a stupid, fat,  . You can’t ever leave me; no other man would have you” or “Ha! You call yourself a man. You are nothing but a mama’s boy.”

9. Disconnected.
Isolation from family and friends is a key goal for the abuser because it forces the victim into total submission. “Your family causes too much trouble for us. I don’t want you seeing them anymore.”

10. Hypersensitive.
The slightest offense sends the abuser ranting. Everyone is out to “get him/her.”  “My boss had it in for me; I bend over backwards on my job but I still got fired.”

11. Vicious and cruel.
A significant number of abusers harm children and animals as well as a partner. Intimidation and inflicting pain fuels his/her power. “If I can’t have you, no one will” or “I just pretended to love you so that you would sleep with me.”  

12. Insincerely repentant.
He/she will swear to never “behave like that again.” But unless an abuser receives professional help and solid accountability it’s unlikely the abuse will disappear.    

After marriage these behaviors typically escalate, therefore it’s crucial to recognize the warning signs now. Tell someone you can trust, and get help. And don’t believe the lie that it’s not abuse until he/she hits you.

When an abuser loses control they often react with rage and the abuse intensifies. Therefore, make a plan before breaking off the relationship. Contact a counselor or local domestic abuse hotline and/or safe house in your community.

This insight is for church leaders.
In my 30 plus years of ministry I’ve watched numerous abusers deceive and manipulate the church. He/she often knows exactly what to say and do to get the church “on their side.” Although Christians are called to be loving and kind, we should not ignore toxic, sinful behavior. That is neither love or compassion.