From White House to Your House

New Jersey Divorce Lawyer, Theresa Lyons, Discusses Job Implications When Accused of AbuseJob Implications When Accused of Abuse

By Theresa Lyons Esq., M.S.W.

White House Staffer Rob Porter was recently forced to resign amidst accusations that he abused two former spouses.  But it’s not just White House employees that face problems when accused of abuse.  Every day people are at risk of substantial job challenges as well.   Here are just a few of the job issues that perpetrators may face:

  1. Loss of Certain 2nd Amendment Rights: Many states have laws that prohibit perpetrators of domestic violence from owning or carrying a weapon.   For those people whose jobs require weapons (military, law enforcement, security, etc.), being accused of domestic abuse can mean ending your career.
  2. Registration Requirements: Some states have requirements that, once someone is adjudicated as having committed domestic abuse, that person’s name and personal information must be placed in a special registry.  Also, certain arrest documents can become part of the public record.  Therefore, for those jobs that require background checks, having a history of perpetrating domestic violence can be problematic.
  3. Prohibition of Movement: Often times, after a person is proven to have committed acts of domestic violence, the courts may enter an Order of Protection that, among other things, can prohibit the perpetrator from going to certain places where the victim also may be.  For people who need to work with or near the victim, these prohibitions can be devastating.  Sometimes domestic violence history also can show up as part of security checks for certain international travel as well.

There are other job implications once accused of domestic violence beyond these few, so it is important to tread carefully in these areas.

**Theresa Lyons, Esq., M.S.W. is the Managing Partner of Lyons & Associates, P.C. and best-selling author of the book Sticks and Stones, Life Lessons of a Lawyer.  Ms. Lyons clerked for the New Jersey Supreme Court and is admitted to practice at the United States Supreme Court.  To request an interview with Ms. Lyons, or to learn more about this or any other family law issue, contact Ms. Lyons at 908-575-9777 or www.lyonspc.com.