It is well understood that criminal defendants in the U.S. are presumed to be innocent if/until they are proven guilty of wrongdoing. Yet, sometimes, being charged with a crime – even if a judge or jury has not yet determined whether an individual is guilty or innocent – can lead to profound consequences. Take, for example, Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks. After being arrested in July 2023, charged with domestic battery and false imprisonment, and pleading not guilty to both offenses, he was placed on the NFL commissioner's exempt list in August. When subjected to exempt status, players are neither allowed to attend practice nor attend games.

While not all employers impose consequences in the wake of a worker's domestic violence charges, being arrested due to suspicions of abuse can affect your life in a host of meaningful ways. If you need to build a strong domestic violence defense strategy immediately, contact us online today or call the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686.

What Happened?

After a woman who shared a residence with Claybrooks handed over a video to law enforcement officers illustrating a September 2022 altercation, Claybrooks was arrested and charged with domestic battery and false imprisonment. Due to the standards that players are bound to uphold per their NFL contracts, the League was empowered to place Claybrooks on the commissioner's exempt list, even though he has not yet been convicted of any wrongdoing.

Charges Can Result in Consequences

Even though criminal defendants are presumed innocent by juries and judges if/until proven guilty, simply being charged with wrongdoing can impact an individual's life in several ways. Their parenting time with their kids may be temporarily suspended if it is suspected that they pose a danger to those children. They may, like Claybrooks, face consequences from their employer. Some employment contracts allow termination if someone is charged. If they are on probation, an arrest may trigger a violation of their probation terms.

This is one of the many reasons why reacting to criminal charges right away is so important. Not only can seeking legal guidance immediately help to better ensure a favorable judgment overall, but it can also help those facing charges to effectively manage any impact that an arrest is having on their life outside of the justice system.

Legal Assistance With Domestic Violence Charges Is Available

If you're facing domestic violence charges, developing a strategic defense strategy right away can help to better ensure that your case resolves favorably and that any challenges you may be dealing with as a result of your charges are handled swiftly and effectively.

The reputable Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm understands how to pursue both aims simultaneously to safeguard your rights and interests as your case evolves. Tell us about your case today by calling 888-535-3686 or by contacting us online to get started. When the stakes of your situation are this high, you can't afford to waste any time. Call now.