Ex-NFL Player Faces Arizona Domestic Violence Charge, Other Consequences

September 19, 2010

Former NFL linebacker Mark Fields was arrested in August after a confrontation with the mother of his daughter outside a Goodyear, Arizona, day care facility. The woman told police that Fields was prohibited from having contact with the child, and witnesses stated that he threw her to the ground after choking her and threatened to kill her.

Fields was arrested later that day in his Litchfield Park home and taken to a Phoenix jail. The Arizona Republic reported that booking documents indicated a history of escalating domestic violence behavior. He faces felony counts of aggravated assault and interference with education, as well as misdemeanor counts of endangerment and disorderly conduct.

Fields is in jeopardy of serious criminal consequences as his case proceeds through Maricopa County Superior Court, including jail time, probation and a permanent criminal record. But for many defendants who are found guilty of domestic violence crimes, the sentencing hearing is just the beginning of having serious limits placed on their futures.

The Results of a Domestic Violence Conviction Can Last a Lifetime

People who plead guilty to a domestic violence charge or are convicted face a range of sentences, depending on the severity of their crime, previous convictions and other factors. But anyone charged with a crime involving a spouse, close relative or domestic partner should also consider the other serious implications of a conviction:
- A domestic violence conviction nullifies your right to own or carry a firearm. This holds true for everyone from hunters to security guards.
- Parents involved in a child custody dispute will likely face greater difficulty obtaining visitation rights or a right to have a say in a child's upbringing.
- A felony conviction strips citizens of their right to vote.
- Many defendants face the end of a career due to the loss of a professional license.
- Involvement in the criminal justice system means a greater likelihood that an immigrant's status will be brought to the attention of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Deportation will follow a conviction.
- Convicted domestic violence perpetrators must attend mandatory counseling at their own expense.

Taking Swift Action to Avoid a Legacy of Unexpected Consequences

If you have been charged with a crime involving domestic violence, an immediate conversation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer will help you understand your legal options. Just as important, a domestic violence attorney can get to work immediately to investigate the facts of the situation to ensure that your side of the story gets told.

Article provided by Law Offices of Howard A. Snader, LLC
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