Violating a protective order is one charge that may be filed as a California crime of domestic violence. Domestic abuse laws apply to crimes that are committed against one’s intimate partner. Intimate partners in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community are or were living together, are or were dating, are or were civilly united and are those who have children together. If convicted of this crime, the accused faces a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in the county jail and up to a $1,000 fine. In addition to these penalties, a convicted defendant may face a variety of additional ramifications.

Professional license issues are one of the additional consequences that an individual convicted of violating a protective order may face. Professional license issues are restrictions that are placed on one’s license, such as a suspension or revocation. These restrictions are permitted according to California law, which allows a professional licensing board to take this type of action when one of its license holders is convicted of a crime that substantially relates to the functions, qualifications or duties of his or her career.

Professional license restrictions may be difficult to beat without the help of an experienced attorney. A California domestic violence lawyer knows the intricacies involved in a protective order violation case and should be able to successfully articulate why this particular crime won’t typically relate to one’s professional license or career. In addition, it is advisable that a GLBT defendant speaks to one of the gay-friendly attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm for legal advice if such a restriction is being imposed, because it may be an illegal attempt to discipline a license holder strictly on the basis of his or her sexual identity being revealed, something with which many board members may be uncomfortable.

Professional license restrictions may be enforced immediately once the defendant has been placed on probation, once his or her conviction has been affirmed on appeal if he or she appealed the case or once it is too late for the defendant to file for an appeal. The manner in which the conviction was obtained is irrelevant, as it could have been the result of a plea, a jury trial or a judge’s ruling.

With law offices in Los Angeles and throughout California, the LGBT supportive attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm are here to help. They have successfully helped many individuals defend against intimate partner abuse charges, making these possible consequences irrelevant. For their clients who must face sentencing, they will help them follow through with their probationary terms with as much ease and convenience as possible and will help ensure that no inappropriate action is taken against their clients, from a professional licensing board or from anyone else. When things are at their worst, the attorneys at the Kavinoky Law Firm are at their best! To discuss a professional license issue, a protective order violation or any other legal matter, contact them today for a free consultation and for unbeatable representation.