How Domestic Violence Affects Your Employment

Incidents of alleged domestic violence might occur behind closed doors, but the effects may be felt in the public eye. If you have been charged with domestic battery or a similar offense against an intimate partner in Nevada, you might quickly discover that these accusations can wreak havoc on your professional life.

This reality can make life emotionally and financially difficult, even though you have not been convicted of any crime. Therefore, you must treat any domestic violence-related charge seriously and act quickly to protect your job and reputation.

What Is Domestic Violence?

About 25% of women and 14% of men will be victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives. 

When you picture a domestic violence offense, you might imagine a husband striking his wife with his hand. This type of battery is a common crime, but domestic violence is a broader concept. It includes any abusive or threatening act committed against an intimate partner, a spouse, or another family member. 

The list of crimes that fit the definition of domestic violence in Nevada includes stalking, rape, sexual assault, and even child abuse.

What Happens When You Are Accused of Domestic Violence?

When domestic arguments get out of hand, sometimes one partner calls the police to come and de-escalate the situation. Once police arrive, they will speak to the parties and attempt to determine what happened.

When police arrive at your home on a domestic violence call, they can immediately arrest you if they believe you committed an act of domestic violence. What is more, prosecutors can charge and pursue a conviction against you even if the alleged victim does not want to cooperate.

If the prosecutor believes they can prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, they will likely proceed with the case. This is more likely when they have objective evidence like photographs and witness statements.

3 Ways Your Domestic Violence Case Affects Your Employment

Being charged with domestic violence in Nevada can result in immediate consequences. Aside from reputational harm, your job and employment prospects can take a serious downturn. Here are three potential ways a domestic violence arrest can affect your career.

1. Termination of Employment

Nevada is an at-will employment state, which means that your employer can terminate you from your position for any nondiscriminatory reason.

This means that you can be fired for being arrested. The law doesn’t require your employer to wait until you have been convicted of a domestic violence offense before firing you. They can end your employment simply because you have been charged with or even just accused of a crime.

Even if your employer never learns of your charges, you might still be at risk of losing your job. Suppose that you are arrested and cannot bond out, so you miss days or weeks of work. Such violations can lead to disciplinary action, which could include termination.

2. Loss of Professional Licenses

Many professions require those who hold licenses or other credentials to report any criminal allegations or charges that are filed against them. Doctors, nurses, lawyers, and law enforcement officers are required to disclose this information to their governing boards and agencies in a timely manner.

With a domestic violence arrest on your record, you could face revocation of your professional license even before you are convicted of any crime. If this happens, you may not be legally able to continue practicing your profession. This possibility becomes even more likely if you are convicted of a domestic violence offense.

Additionally, a domestic violence conviction will prevent you from legally buying or owning a firearm. As a result, you cannot work at any job that requires you to carry a gun while on duty. 

3. Rescission of Job Offers

Some employers may not wish to hire you if they learn you have been charged with domestic violence. Because being charged or convicted of a criminal offense is not a protected class under state or federal law, any potential employer would be within their rights to withdraw an offer of employment to you if one had been previously extended.

Treat a Domestic Violence Charge or Arrest Seriously

There are other practical ways a domestic violence charge could affect your professional life. Depending on the circumstances, it might not be possible to avoid all potential consequences. However, a skilled defense attorney can explore every avenue to mitigate the impact of a domestic violence arrest on your future.

Are you facing domestic violence charges in Nevada, or have you been recently arrested for such an offense? Contact the DUI Doctor right away. Schedule a free consultation and enlist our help in protecting your future.