Apply Now
Understanding the consequences of a criminal record is essential if you are facing criminal charges. Keep in mind that a competent criminal defense attorney can advocate on your behalf to have charges reduced or withdrawn altogether. If you are incarcerated, you will lose access to many aspects of your everyday life, and your freedom will be severely limited. Some conditions of probation include abstinence from alcohol, random drug testing, and the suspension of driving privileges for extended periods.
Also, you can be required to pay hefty court fees and fines that have to be paid by a certain date, or you might end up in jail. You will still have to deal with the criminal charge on your record, even if the charges against you are withdrawn, or you are found not guilty at trial. However, there is the possibility of having it removed sooner through a process called expunction or having it erased when a set period has elapsed. However, even when you complete your sentence, the consequences of a conviction may not end there.
The Long-Term Effects of a Conviction
A criminal conviction, whether for a misdemeanor or felony, can have significant consequences in many aspects of your life. Having a lifelong criminal record is a significant drawback. A criminal conviction has the potential to alter your life in the following ways;
Potential Employment Opportunity Limits
Given the competitive nature of the employment market, many companies are picky throughout the interview and hiring process. If you have a criminal conviction on your resume, you might not even be considered for an interview, let alone one that pays well. Most states recognize the right of prospective employers to do background checks on job applicants, and some states even make it illegal to be hired if a criminal record is discovered.
Employers may also ask you directly if you have a criminal history, including felony convictions and minor offenses. If you have a felony conviction, for example, you might not be able to work in some fields or even receive the license you need. A school system, for instance, would not hire someone who had a sex offender conviction.
Permanent Publicly Accessed Criminal Record
Your criminal conviction will be recorded in the public domain for a long time, as with many other legal proceedings. Access to it is open to anybody who wants it. Even while it’s feasible to hide a conviction after a long period has elapsed, doing so falls under a different and more complex body of legislation.
Student Loans and Other Loans
Although a conviction does not immediately exclude you from receiving college financial assistance, it may have a negative effect on your application. You may not qualify for aid if you have a criminal record for drug dealing or possession. A criminal conviction can make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a mortgage, car loan, business loan, or any other type of loan.
Additionally, a criminal record may cause a lender to reject a loan application because they view the potential borrower as a higher risk or because of the influence a conviction may have on the applicant’s character and capacity to repay the loan.
Problems Getting Accommodation
A criminal conviction might make it difficult to acquire decent accommodation in many circumstances. Many landlords verify tenants’ criminal records before letting them move in. Many landlords have regulations that forbid renting to those on probation or parole, whether or not they are written down.
If you have a criminal record, especially if you’ve been convicted of a felony, a landlord may see you as dangerous to rent to. If you have a criminal record for sexual offenses, you may find it considerably more challenging to find a place to live.
Sexually Violent Offender Database
Some sexual crime convictions carry mandatory registration on state sexual offender registries. You may be restricted in your housing options and career prospects due to this. Also, anyone can look up your past conviction on one of these databases, even if it was decades ago.
Voting and Other Privileges Limits
A criminal conviction may strip you of many of the rights that come with being an American citizen, including the right to vote and the right to serve in the armed forces, depending on the severity of your crime.
Immigration Status
The inability to get a green card, adjust one’s immigration status, or become a naturalized citizen may result from a criminal record held by a foreign person. Even if you are just convicted of a minor offense, you may be deported and lose employment.
Difficulties in Traveling Overseas
It is possible to be denied entry to foreign countries after a minor conviction. There are countries such as Canada that will not let you enter if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.
Security Clearance
A loss of security clearance might make it impossible to conduct your work if you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime. Security clearances are granted and renewed based on several criteria, including an individual’s general demeanor, loyalty, honesty, and ability to make responsible financial decisions. A criminal conviction may have a detrimental effect on several aspects and may lead to the cancellation or rejection of a security clearance.
Loss of Child Custody
When deciding custody, a court must put the children’s best interests first. If you’ve been convicted of a felony, it may doubt your credibility as a decent parent in a custody dispute. Losing custody of your children is also possible in a conviction for a misdemeanor, especially if the act was committed against a member of the family.
If you have been accused of committing a crime, it is in your best interest to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can assist in minimizing the negative effects a conviction will have on your life in the long run.
Contact Us Today to Apply for a Lawsuit Loan!
If you need immediate funds to get your life back after a wrongful conviction and while your case is still ongoing, contact us at High Rise Financial today. You can reach out to our dedicated representatives on (866) 407-6404. Our dedicated team will be happy to meet with you and explore your different lawsuit loan options.