If you’ve been accused of criminal wrongdoing, you’re probably worried about how a conviction could send you to jail. While that’s certainly a real possibility that you’ll want to contemplate as you build your criminal defense and determine your legal strategy, there are a lot of other collateral consequences that could come into play upon conviction. One of them is a negative impact on any pending paternity or divorce case.
How a criminal conviction could impact child custody
Mere allegations of criminal wrongdoing could be used against you in a custody case to paint you as someone who is unfit to parent. The other parent might subpoena police officers to testify against you, or they might merely rely upon what was shown in your criminal case. Therefore, the specific facts that are proven in your case can have wide-reaching implications. And if you’re convicted, then you’ll have no room to argue about the offense in question.
As a result, an improperly handled criminal defense could devastate your time and relationship with your child. So, as you build your case, think through how the evidence will position you in your criminal case, but also how it may impact you in your custody case. This can be a bit of a balancing act, but knowing that your freedom and your time with your child are on the line can be powerful motivating factors to help you craft the compelling criminal defense strategy you need to be successful.
Be aggressive in developing your criminal defense
There’s too much at stake to build a sloppy criminal defense. Instead, you need to know the law and how to apply it to your advantage while not bending to the prosecution’s will. Be thoughtful, be educated, and be aggressive. Perhaps then you can protect your freedom, your record, and your relationship with your child.