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.