Yes, you can. The existence of criminal proceedings arising out of the same incidents of domestic abuse and violence do not preclude a lawsuit in civil court.
If I am convicted of a domestic violence crime, do I automatically lose or become disadvantaged in any civil case?
That depends on the precise outcome of the criminal case. For one thing, there is no such thing as an automatic win or lose scenario. The civil case will still continue if you are convicted. If you plead guilty, any admission of wrongdoing you make in rendering that plea can be used as evidence against you in the civil case. However, if you plead no contest (nolo contendere), then no such statements may be used against you in civil court. This is pretty much the only reason why criminal defendant’s would choose to plead no contest rather than guilty. For additional information, click here.
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