Should I Plead Guilty to Domestic Violence?
Mar 25, 2022, by in Domestic Violence
Being accused of domestic violence is never easy. You understandably don’t want to be labeled as a violent person, and maybe you were falsely accused or defending yourself. And while everyone’s situation and circumstances are different, a plea offer could sometimes prove to be the best option.
But before you plead guilty to any crime – significantly a domestic violence charge in Michigan, it is important to discuss the details with an experienced domestic violence lawyer. You’ll want to know how accepting a guilty conviction will impact your life – now and in the long term.
When to Consider a Guilty Plea for Domestic Violence
You may not think it may be in your best interests to plead guilty to domestic violence charges, but depending on the details of your case, pleading guilty may be appropriate if it lets you deal with the charge while reducing the overall harm to your life.
For example, if the prosecuting attorney has considerable evidence against you, and a conviction could result in substantial jail time, pleading guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence could be the best option.
Of course, this is just one example. You and your attorney will need to closely evaluate the individual details of your case to determine whether pleading guilty is a good fit.
Options for Pleading Guilty to Domestic Violence
Depending on the specific domestic violence allegations, you could be facing considerable jail time, prison, fines, restitution, custody issues, a restraining order, and other criminal penalties.
Fortunately, by agreeing to plead guilty, you may be able to avoid many of these. The state’s prosecuting attorney may be willing to enter into a plea agreement with you for a lesser sentence.
To resolve some domestic violence charges, you may be able to enter a pretrial diversion program. But, many pretrial diversion programs are not available to individuals with prior convictions or if you’re charged with .
Things to Avoid When Pleading Guilty
If you are considering pleading guilty to domestic violence allegations, there are specific considerations you need to consider.
First, a guilty plea for a domestic violence charge will result in a criminal conviction on your record. This could harm your ability to find gainful employment, affordable housing, obtain federal financial student aid, and otherwise move on with your life.
Additionally, if you are found guilty of domestic violence in Michigan, you may find it difficult to get your record expunged. Although domestic violence connections can be expunged in some cases, there are specific requirements. A minimum of five years will need to have passed, and you must not have been charged with or convicted of any other type of crime.
You may also experience citizenship and immigration issues, child custody issues, and a loss of firearm rights as a convicted felon. These considerations are not to be taken lightly.
Contact a Domestic Violence Defense Attorney for Help
Pleading guilty to domestic violence charges is not always the right step for everyone. However, sometimes, pleading guilty could prove to be the best option for your future.
Find out how to best approach your domestic violence charges when you contact an experienced Michigan domestic violence defense attorney at Drias Law Group. Call our office at (313) 944-0236 or complete our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.