If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, one of your biggest concerns might be whether your job is at risk. Being arrested, especially for something as serious as a domestic violence offense, can affect your work, your income, and even your career path. Whether or not you are convicted, the impact on your job depends on where you work, your role, and how your employer handles arrests or criminal charges.
Summit Defense Criminal Lawyers helps people who are facing domestic violence charges protect their rights and limit the damage to their personal and professional lives. Our team understands that a single arrest can affect many parts of your life, including your ability to work and earn a living.
We work closely with you to build a strong defense strategy, while also helping you understand what to expect with your job, especially if you hold any professional licenses or work in sensitive positions. Getting legal support quickly is the first step in protecting your future employment and your reputation.
How a Domestic Violence Arrest Can Affect Your Employment
Even without a domestic violence conviction, an arrest alone can affect your job. Some employers have rules that require employees to report arrests, especially in jobs involving public trust, vulnerable populations, or access to secure information.
In other cases, your job may not be immediately affected, but the risk increases if your case becomes public or if you face further criminal charges.
Do Employers Find Out About the Arrest?
Employers can find out about arrests in different ways, and some people are legally required to disclose them. Below are common ways your employer might learn about your arrest.
Arrests Are Often Public Record
In most places, an arrest becomes part of the public record. This means your name, the charges, and other details could be listed online or found in a simple background check. Many employers, especially those in healthcare, education, or finance, may run routine checks or monitor employee records.
Your Employer May Be Notified If You Hold a License
If you hold a professional license (such as in teaching, nursing, or law enforcement) your licensing board may notify your employer when you are charged with domestic violence. These boards are often alerted automatically when an arrest or conviction happens and may take disciplinary action, which can directly affect your ability to work.
You May Be Required to Report the Arrest
Some jobs have rules that require employees to report any arrest to their supervisor or HR department. If you fail to report it, you could face job penalties, even if the case is still ongoing. Reporting the arrest early, along with an explanation, may help reduce the negative impact.
Common Employment Consequences After an Arrest
After an arrest, you may face a range of work-related issues, even if your case has not been decided. The outcome often depends on your employer’s policies and the type of work you do.
Suspension or Administrative Leave
Many employers place employees on administrative leave or suspension while they review the situation. This is especially common in jobs where safety, public trust, or working with children or family members is involved. The leave may be paid or unpaid, depending on the company’s policy.
Job Loss or Termination
In some cases, being charged with domestic violence may lead to being fired, especially if the arrest affects your ability to perform your job or if your employer believes the charges harm their reputation. If you are later cleared of all charges, you may not always get your job back, depending on company policy.
Damage to Your Professional Reputation
Even if your case is private, news of a domestic violence arrest can spread quickly. This can affect your reputation in the workplace and your standing in your professional community. It may also make it harder to find new job opportunities, especially if potential employers conduct a criminal background check during the hiring process.
What If You Are Not Convicted?
If you are not convicted, the effects of the arrest may still linger. However, there may be legal steps you can take to reduce the long-term harm to your career.
Arrest Without Conviction Still Leaves a Record
Even if the district attorney chooses to drop charges or if the court finds you not guilty, the arrest may still show up in criminal history databases. This record can still appear in background checks, which may affect future employment or cause issues with professional licenses.
You May Be Able to Seal or Expunge the Arrest Record
If you were not convicted, you may be able to request a record expungement or sealing. This means the arrest would be hidden from most background check systems. A domestic violence defense lawyer can help you understand if you’re eligible and walk you through the legal steps to clear your criminal record.
Facing domestic violence charges can feel overwhelming, especially when your job, reputation, and future are on the line. Even if you are not convicted, the arrest alone can raise serious concerns for your employer. If a domestic violence conviction occurs, the impact can be much worse, leading to permanent damage to your career and limited job opportunities in the future.
