Can a Domestic Violence Charge Affect My Custody Order?

A conviction for domestic violence can have major impacts on your rights as a parent in Manchester family court cases.

If you are a divorced parent or one who is unmarried and no longer on good terms with your former partner, you may have had to go through family court proceedings to get a custody order allowing you to spend time with your child. Unfortunately, if you are later arrested and charged with any type of domestic violence related crime, it could significantly impact this order. In this type of situation, you need a Manchester criminal defense attorney who is also experienced in family law to ensure your parental rights are protected.

Ramifications of Domestic Violence Charges

Domestic violence is a serious crime in Tennessee, one that is dealt with aggressively by both law enforcement officials and prosecuting attorneys. Under Section 39-13-111 of the Tennessee Code , domestic violence is categorized as any type of incident involving threats or actual acts of violence that are committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly against your spouse, dating partner, or other member of your family. Accusations of this type of behavior could result in criminal court charges and penalties, which include:

For serious crimes and cases where there is a prior conviction for domestic violence, you could be facing fines and a possibly lengthy jail sentence, along with a criminal record that will follow you the rest of your life.
If it is a first offense and the circumstances surrounding your case are relatively minor with minimal harm done to the alleged victim, you could be eligible for alternative sentencing. This will likely include mandatory drug or alcohol treatment and counseling.

Either of these outcomes could impact your rights as a parent, both now and in the years to come. One of the key factors judges look at in determining custody arrangements are whether there have been any past incidents of domestic violence or abuse.

How a Conviction Could Impact Your Custody Rights

In our area, child custody matters are handled through the Coffee County Department of Domestic Relations . In these cases, the judge’s top priority is making sure the child’s safety and best interests are protected. Domestic violence charges will impact your case. Actions you can take to protect your rights as a parent include:

Fulfil all requirements set by the criminal court, which may include paying fines and attending treatment programs.
Abide by the terms of any alternative sentencing agreements which are made, which may include refraining from alcohol use and having any contact with your spouse or other party involved.
By willing to accept supervised visitation, carefully following all policies and procedures.

Contact Our Manchester Domestic Violence Attorneys

To minimize the potential impact domestic violence charges can have on your rights as a parent, get Burch & Stewart working on your side. To request a consultation regarding how we can help you, contact our Manchester criminal defense and family law attorneys online today.