7 Consequences of Having a Criminal Record

When you’re convicted of a crime, the ramifications go beyond jail time. A charge might be dropped, or you may be found not guilty at trial, but the criminal charge will be maintained in your record. In some cases, a criminal charge will be deleted after some years. There’s also the option of getting the charge cleared earlier. You should avoid criminal exposure as much as possible since a criminal record will follow you past the time served. Reputed law firms, such as Chudnovsky Law, can help you in getting criminal charges expunged. This is an option that you should seriously consider since expunging your criminal records is the first step to living a happy life.

Here are Some of the Consequences of Having a Criminal Record

Employment

Most employers will require you to disclose if you’ve ever been charged or convicted of a crime. You are required to answer truthfully. Some employers will also run a background check on you to see if you have a criminal history. A criminal record could derail you from landing your dream job. However, you don’t have to disclose criminal charges that have been scrapped off your record.

Other than not getting hired, a criminal record can also affect your earning potential. Getting a salary increment can also be difficult with a criminal history.

Because of this, hiring a dedicated criminal defense lawyer to advocate for your rights and improve your chances of getting your criminal charge dismissed to avoid a criminal record is essential. If you’re looking for a lawyer, check out reputable online resources to learn more information.

Child Adoption

In some states, such as Texas, you won’t be allowed to adopt a child if you’ve committed a misdemeanor involving the family. Offenses involving alcohol abuse or allowing kids access to firearms will also hinder you from adopting a child.

However, a criminal record will not automatically disqualify you from adopting a child. The nature of the offense and the period since a conviction will be considered.

Child Custody

If you’re fighting for child custody with your partner, your criminal history might impact who gets custody. Charges involving domestic abuse and violent acts will reduce your child’s custody rights.

Specifically, a criminal record can affect your child custody rights in various ways. Aside from the nature of the crime, your rehabilitation may also be considered in determining your custody rights.

The court will check whether you’ve been rehabilitated and no longer poses a threat to your child’s safety. They’ll ask you to provide evidence, such as your participation in counseling and other treatment programs to address the underlying issues leading to criminal behavior.

Driving

A criminal charge might make you lose your driving license. In some states, a criminal record involving alcohol or substance abuse could mean getting a 180-day suspension of your driver’s license. You may be required to take a mandatory course on substance abuse to regain your license.

On the other hand, a criminal record involving drunk driving may also result in the total revocation of your driver’s license. Lastly, it may also result in installing an ignition interlock device (IID). You’ll need to blow into it each time you start the car.

The IID will record your breath samples and keep them in its memory. If the police pull you over, the latter will retrieve the data from the device to know if you’ve been drinking. Also, the IID will be installed in your vehicle within a certain period determined by the court.

Immigration

For a foreign national, a misdemeanor could make you lose your job and could also get you deported. This is especially true if you’re convicted of a crime considered a deportable offense or those crimes regarded as a threat to national security.

You may be prevented from getting a green card, and your immigration status may change because of a criminal record. Generally, a conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or aggravated felony can make obtaining a green card or citizenship difficult. Crimes of moral turpitude involve fraud, dishonesty, and a lack of moral character. Aggravated felonies are serious offenses like murder, rape, or drug trafficking.

Right to Bear Arms

Your right to own a firearm might be revoked if you are charged with a gun-related crime. You will also be denied a firearm license if you are convicted of a class A misdemeanor.

Renting or Leasing Property

A landlord can refuse to rent to you if you have a criminal history. This might depend on the time that has elapsed since you were charged. For sex offense charges, this is different. A client might refuse to rent to you if you are a sex offender.

A criminal record will affect your life in numerous ways. If you have been charged with a crime, having a good lawyer can help ensure you get your charge reduced or dropped. You may also get your charge deleted from your record.