Factors distinguishing felonies from misdemeanors may affect the outcome of a domestic violence conviction, such as:
Whether it is a first-time offense or there have been prior similar convictions
Whether bodily harm occurred and/or the use of weapons was involved
Whether offenses such as attempted strangulation and/or terroristic threats were part of the case
Depending on the unique facts of a conviction, penalties may include one or more of the following:
Jail or prison time
Mandatory psychological treatment
Loss of the right to possess a firearm
Probation with a community service requirement
Other consequences beyond criminal penalties may include negative employment consequences, the loss of a professional license, and family law challenges related to the custody of children.