Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Hi, I was charged with assualt and battery- officer.and assualt on a girl. There waqs no fight. I went to a bar by myself one night, and through a lot of miscommunication, it turned into incident where the cop fell and hurt himself on his own accord he slipped and fell, i did not fight or hit him. The girl worked for the club and in the commotion of things when I lifted my arm up I slight knudge her glasses. She even testified that I did not hit her, it was more like an accident.

I didn't even know I had touched her. being I did not have any witnesses, first time in trouble I was scared, and plead guilty with advice from my lawyer.

My question is it's was in VA. I have my Ba degree I was substitute teaching at the time.

It has been 7 years past. I would like to know, I would like to still teach, would it be possible? I am also working on my master in account, disable veteran, I wondered if not teaching can I possible get job with goverment or corp, if I have a misdemeanor convictions? Does the government automatically disqualify you if you have prior convictions of anything?

In state of Va I can't get it expunged far as I know, but is a simple pardon or a re-trail possible?

Although I very sorry what happened, honestly I still feel I was innocent of charges of what really happened that night. But because I was scared and my lawyer I feel did not advise or represent me well at all. Can i never get licensed in any state for teaching or accountant because of this.

I talked to some people in accounting in governement offices who seem eager for me to apply when I finsh my masters, but i'm afraid to do so. And I'm afraid to talk to them about the conviction. Is all hope lost for me? Can you please advise. Thank you so much!

Is there


Asked on 2/05/11, 5:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

No, you should not lose all hope as each governmental entity as well as

private employer appears to treat job or licensure applicants with criminal conviction(s) according to each own's particular procedures, meaning there is no one particular approach to this issue and if your application with one happens

to be denied due to this record of conviction, that should not keep

you from continuing to apply elsewhere. (The accounting folks "in

government offices" whom you say you've talked to have given you good advice in this matter.)

Furthermore, if you have facts in your case which would seem to mitigate

your guilt in the crime of which you were convicted, you may also wish

to consider applying to the governor for a pardon.

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Answered on 2/06/11, 12:50 pm


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