An arrest can upend your life in many and varied ways. Suddenly, your future becomes uncertain, and you wonder how this event will affect your career, personal relationships, and your professional reputation. Many industries have policies on domestic violence arrests, charges, or convictions. Medical professionals, attorneys, educators, and other licensed individuals may face penalties for an arrest or conviction that may include license suspension and revocation. If you are facing domestic violence charges in California, your primary concern is likely focused on avoiding jail time, steep fines, and other criminal penalties. However, as a licensed professional, you need to be aware of the potential consequences of domestic violence charges that affect your career (and your ability to earn a living). Depending on the types of professional licenses involved in your case, you may adjust your defense strategy to minimize the impact of an arrest or domestic violence charge on your livelihood and professional reputation. Working with a highly qualified and experienced Los Angeles County criminal defense attorney is the best way to determine the most strategic path forward that keeps your future as bright as possible. This post will explore some of the implications of domestic violence of domestic violence charges on professional licenses in California and some steps you can take to protect yourself and your career as you move through the upcoming days, weeks, and months.
What Happens When You Get a Domestic Violence Charge in California?
First-time offenders are often overwhelmed when they are arrested and charged with a crime. Domestic violence charges can be especially intimidating, as these incidents often come down to the alleged victim’s account of the event versus that of the defendant. Defendants facing domestic violence charges often feel powerless, and they may think that simply explaining their side of the story to the arresting officer or other law enforcement officials will help to clear up the misunderstanding. Unfortunately, this strategy rarely benefits the defendant; instead, prosecutors can use the defendant’s statements to further the case against them. It’s essential that those under arrest or charged with crimes in Los Angeles County recognize their legal rights, such as exercising their constitutional right to remain silent and hire an attorney to represent them during every stage of the legal process. Once you are arrested for a domestic violence-related offense, you will be taken to the local jail for booking (where you will be fingerprinted, photographed, and required to surrender any personal items until your release). Next, you will be held in custody until your arraignment hearing, where the judge will read the formal charges against you, ask for your plea, and decide whether you can be released on bail or whether it’s within the public interest to keep you in custody until your trial. The days and weeks following your arrest can be chaotic and confusing, so consider contacting a seasoned and dedicated criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible who can answer your questions and support you during every step of this process.
Domestic Violence and Professional Licenses in California
Professional licensing boards uphold rigorous standards to ensure that those qualified to practice medicine, law, education, or other services are upstanding individuals in society. California’s Business and Professions Code codifies rules by which state licensing boards may revoke licenses or deny license applications based on the applicant’s criminal history. For the most part, a state licensing board may take action if the crime the applicant or licensed professional committed is “substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the license was issued.” For instance, a nurse practitioner convicted of a drug distribution or drug trafficking crime that involved the defendant stealing controlled substances from the hospital where they worked is more likely to face disciplinary action from the professional licensing board than another professional whose crime had nothing to do with their profession. However, for most professions founded on public trust, crimes like domestic violence or inflicting physical harm will likely be sufficient grounds for disciplinary action by the licensing board.
Domestic Violence Effect on Professional Licensure
It’s important to understand that state law prohibits licensing boards from automatically suspending or revoking your license without providing you with a fair hearing and the opportunity to address the allegations against you. Once the board learns of your conviction, it will likely launch a preliminary investigation and move forward to an administrative hearing, where you will have the chance to respond to the charges. Additionally, license suspension and revocation tend to be the worst-case scenarios for these situations; there are several other penalties that the board could choose instead of revocation or suspension, such as formal reprimands, mandatory treatment or counseling, or fines. As you navigate the administrative consequences of a domestic violence conviction in Los Angeles County, you can rely on your experienced and trusted criminal defense lawyer to remain by your side to advocate vocally on your behalf at every opportunity.
Protect Your Future and Your Career Against Criminal Charges Today
The consequences of domestic violence charges in Los Angeles County are far-reaching and long-lasting. However, there are steps you can take as soon as you are arrested to safeguard your legal rights and improve your chances of securing a fair and favorable outcome. The most critical action you can take to protect your career against domestic violence charges is to contact a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who can examine every detail of your case and identify the most strategic path forward. Navigating charges in the criminal court while also managing administrative proceedings by a state licensing board can be doubly intimidating and overwhelming, which is why relying on a seasoned legal advocate is essential to ensure you can move forward strategically and confidently. Now is the time to protect your freedom and your future—get in touch with a trusted and highly skilled criminal defense attorney today.
When it comes to defending yourself against domestic violence allegations in Los Angeles County, you deserve effective, reliable, and top-tier legal representation to keep your future as bright as possible. Call Wegman & Levin today at (818) 980-4000 for a free consultation with a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer.
