Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

Domestice Violence & Employment

I have been charged three times with domestic violence. To my understanding, the third should have been a felony but it wasn't. I have recently graduated college (with honors!) with an associates degree in paralegal studies & I am not having any luck obtaining employment. Is my record the problem? I have recently obtained an attorney to see if I can have these charges expunged. Is this even possible? Can you help? Do you have any suggestions?


Asked on 8/30/07, 1:15 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Cline Office of the Ohio Public Defender

Re: Domestice Violence & Employment

If you have two prior convictions for domestic violence, then the third offense can be charged as a felony. However, in order to make it a felony, the charging document must state that this is your third offense.

It is very likely that these prior convictions for domestic violence are hurting your employment applications.

Domestic violence is an offense that cannot legally be expunged. Even if it could legally be expunged, to be eligible for expungment you must be a "first offender" and, if you have two or three prior convictions, you are not a first offender.

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Answered on 8/30/07, 11:55 am


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