How Will a Criminal Case Affect a Family Lawsuit?
People often make mistakes – no one is perfect and it is completely understandable. However, it is very important to make sure that your mistakes will not affect the people around and especially people you love. Indeed, at times, our loved ones are affected by our rage, our stressful emotions and our frustration. However, in certain cases, it can go beyond words and may reach some truly disturbing heights, including violent behavior, traumas and injuries. It is important to understand that criminal cases are reviewed by the criminal court and family related cases are reviewed in the civil court. There is a big difference between these two, but it does not mean that one may not rely on the other.
Some people are wondering if their criminal actions may have an impact on their family cases, especially the custodial ones. Even though the courts act separately, the civil court will have all the necessary information on one’s criminal past or present and will rely on this information when coming to a definitive conclusion. For instances, let us say that a person was convicted for selling drugs and served time in prison. He was released and caught yet again for the very same reasons. If this person will try to establish custodial rights over his child, the civil court will take the criminal past into consideration and will most likely deny the request. Why? Because such a person cannot a good influence and there can be no doubt that the child will be better off without him or her.
Furthermore, there are cases of violent behavior in the family itself. For instance, during an argument, the husband hits the wife or pushes her, causing her to fall down. The wife is injured and therefore calls the police. The law enforcement officers arrive at the scene and the wife decides to press charges. These circumstances will also be taken into consideration when resolving the issue of custodial rights.
It is important to understand that any criminal activity in the past or at the present may have a very severe impact on one’s family law case in the civil court. The verdict will largely depend on it and the judge will take it in consideration when issuing the final decision. Therefore, in case you have reasons to believe that your past mistakes may influence the judge’s decision, it is vital to get in touch with a qualified as well as genuinely experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at the earliest opportunity. Only will a good legal representative have ample knowledge, skills and expertise to help you get out of this situation with minimal legal damage.
Trying to deal with the case on your own is not an option. Of course, you could rely on a public defender. Public lawyers may be skillful enough, but they simply do not have the time to concentrate on your case, since they already have their hands full. Therefore, in case you are in need of legal advice, sit down with a highly qualified expert and together you will be able to come up with a solid defense strategy that will allow you to succeed in the end. Do not let your past mistakes ruin your life and let a good Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer help you. Even if you had a criminal past, it does not necessarily imply that you will be denied your rights today.