You’ve been charged with domestic assault. Now you, understandably, want to know what could happen to you next.
Jail Time and Fines
According to Virginia Code Section 18.2-57.2, domestic assault and battery against a family member or member of your household can result in:
- Up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both a fine and jail time if it is your first or second offense.
- Up to five years in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both a fine and jail time if this is your third or subsequent conviction.
If you’ve been charged with a simple assault, you do not have any previous convictions or deferrals of convictions for domestic assault, and other conditions are met, then the court may defer the proceedings against you and put you on probation. You may be placed with a community-based probation services agency and required to complete all identified assessments, treatments, education programs, and services. Depending on your financial situation, you may have to pay for your probation assessments, treatments, education, and services. Upon successful completion of these conditions, the court may dismiss the domestic assault charge.
Other Consequences of Domestic Abuse
Jail time and fines are often the first penalties people think of after they’ve been charged with a crime. However, these aren’t the only potential consequences you face for a domestic abuse conviction. In Virginia, you may also suffer other consequences, such as:
- Mandatory treatment, like anger management courses, for example
- A protective order that requires you to stay away from a certain person and from the family home
- Employment consequences if your potential employer does a background or security check
- Potential loss of a security clearance
- Child custody and visitation limitations, even if you are not accused of abusing your children
- Gun right limitations
Contact a Domestic Abuse Defense Lawyer to Protect Your Rights
Do not wait to hear your sentence before contacting a domestic abuse defense attorney. By then, it could be too late to avoid the consequences of a criminal conviction. Instead, contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers of Greenspun Shapiro Ginsberg & Yang PC for help as soon as possible. We will review every aspect of your case and make sure that your legal rights are protected. Call us or fill out our contact form to have us contact you today.
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