How Domestic Violence Charges Affect a Job or Professional License in Washington

Domestic violence charges can be intimidating and humiliating, but your situation may be even more precarious if your professional license is on the line. Many professional licenses come with a certain code of conduct. When a license holder is criminally charged, their license may be in jeopardy.

If you have a professional license, it is possible that a domestic violence charge could cost you your license. Washington’s Fair Chance Act prevents employers from firing you for an arrest, but it does not protect your professional license. If you are charged but ultimately not convicted, we may push to have your license reinstated. Even so, whether you lose your job may be up to your employer and licensing commission, not necessarily a court of law.

For a confidential legal assessment from our Tacoma, WA domestic violence defense lawyers, call the Law Offices of Smith & White at (253) 203-1645.

How Do Domestic Violence Charges in Washington Affect Your Job?

Being charged with a crime of domestic violence may have a negative effect on your professional license, leaving some ineligible to hold certain positions.

Can You Lose Your Job?

The law in Washington State protects employees from being fired if they are arrested for a crime. However, a conviction may disqualify people from holding certain positions or professional licenses, making it impossible for them to continue in certain lines of work.

Certain jobs require that employees have a clean criminal record. For example, government jobs are often only available to those without criminal convictions.

If you are convicted of a crime of domestic violence, especially if it is a felony case, you may lose your job if the offense directly relates to your work or position. As described below, employers may not fire you just because you are arrested for domestic violence.

The Fair Chance Act

Washington’s Fair Chance Act protects employees from being fired or job applicants from being denied based on arrest records and juvenile conviction records. As such, you should not be fired or denied a job just because you are arrested for domestic violence.

However, a domestic violence conviction could compel a professional licensing commission to revoke your professional license. Without your license, you may be unable to continue in your line of work and could still lose your job for being unable to maintain the necessary license.

What Happens to Your Professional License if You Are Charged with Domestic Violence?

Losing your job is bad enough, but domestic violence charges might also have negative consequences for professional licenses.

Can You Lose Your Professional License?

The law prevents people from losing a professional license for a criminal conviction unless the conviction directly relates to their position or occupation. For example, a domestic violence conviction may disqualify someone from holding positions working with children, like public school teachers.

Depending on the nature of your professional license and how the relevant commission chooses to take disciplinary action, you could see your license suspended or even revoked because of domestic violence charges.

Do You Have to Be Convicted to Lose Your License?

The law states that a licensing commission may take disciplinary action against a license holder even if their behavior does not constitute a criminal offense. As such, you do not necessarily need to be convicted of a crime to see your license suspended or revoked.

However, if you lose your license after being charged but are ultimately found not guilty, you may challenge the disciplinary action taken against you in the hopes of reinstating your license.

Can You Get Your License Reinstated?

Whether you can have your license reinstated depends on the type of professional license you hold and how the relevant licensing commission handles disciplinary actions.

Your license may be suspended rather than revoked. After a certain period, you may be able to have it reinstated. Under Washington law, a licensing authority or commission does not have to reinstate a license that was previously revoked.

How Can You Protect Your Job or Professional License After Domestic Violence Charges?

As we deal with your domestic violence charges, there may be several ways in which you can work to protect your job and your professional license.

Fight the Charges in Court

Challenging your charges in court is a great way to start protecting your professional livelihood and career. If our Washington domestic violence defense attorneys can secure a verdict of not guilty, you may stand a better chance of convincing the relevant licensing commission to reinstate your license or to avoid revocation if it has not yet occurred.

Gather Evidence in Your Favor

When fighting your charges, we may need evidence in your favor. Did the alleged victim lie about the supposed domestic violence? If we can obtain proof of the lie (e.g., witness testimony contradicting their claims), we can fight the charge and present this evidence to a licensing commission or disciplinary board.

Disciplinary Hearings

Many professional licensing commissions conduct disciplinary hearings when a person’s professional license is at risk of being revoked or suspended. If such a hearing is scheduled for you, you may present evidence and arguments in your defense, especially if you were found not guilty or there is substantial evidence to contradict the charges.

Can You Lose Your Job if You Are Charged with a Domestic Violence Offense?

Possibly. Depending on what you do for work, you could lose your job based on domestic violence charges. Many jobs are off-limits to people with certain criminal convictions, and many companies adhere to strict codes of conduct for employees that prohibit criminal involvement.

Can Domestic Violence Charges Affect Your Professional License?

Possibly. Many professional licenses come with codes of conduct for license holders. Misbehavior that amounts to moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption could lead to disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of your license.

How Can You Protect Your Job and Professional License After Being Charged with Domestic Violence?

You may protect your career by fighting the charges in court. If you secure a not guilty verdict, you may have a stronger argument for reinstating your license and keeping your job.

Will You Lose a Professional License for Domestic Violence Charges if You Are Found Not Guilty?

Maybe. Licensing commissions may revoke or suspend a professional license for certain actions and conduct, even if they do not constitute a criminal offense. However, if you are found not guilty, you may be able to get your license back.

Ask Our Washington Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers for Help Now

To get a private legal analysis of your case from our Auburn, WA criminal defense attorneys, call the Law Offices of Smith & White at (253) 203-1645.