People who are facing criminal charges often worry about the possibility that they will end up behind bars. But, they may not realize that this is just one of the many consequences of a criminal conviction. A conviction can lead to a number of short and long-term consequences, including:
Deportation
If you are not a U.S. citizen, it’s possible that you could be deported if you are convicted of committing a crime. Not only will you be deported, but you may also be denied re-entry into the U.S. for the rest of your life. Every criminal conviction does not automatically lead to deportation, so it’s important to let your attorney know if you are not a U.S. citizen so he can prepare to defend your right to stay in the country.
Lack of Employment Opportunities
A criminal conviction will remain on your record long after the trial is over, which could affect your ability to find employment. Employers often conduct background checks on job applicants, and if they see a conviction on your record, it’s possible that you will not be hired for the job. This is especially true if your conviction is related to theft, white collar crime, sexual assault, or violence. Many companies do not want to be responsible for employing people with these convictions on their records.
Some convictions may automatically make you ineligible for certain employment opportunities. For instance, you will not be hired by a school district if you have a sex crime conviction on your criminal record.
Reputation
Certain convictions may affect your reputation for the rest of your life. For example, if you are convicted of a sex crime, others may immediately view you differently. Your personal and professional reputation may suffer from this type of conviction, which can make it hard for you to form relationships or advance in your career. People that you were once close to may begin to distance themselves from you after learning about the conviction. It may take years for you to rebuild your reputation in your personal and professional life after a conviction.
As you can see, there are many other consequences of a conviction outside of jail time, fines, probation, and community service. If you would like to avoid these consequences, it’s in your best interests to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Don’t let the consequences of a criminal conviction affect the rest of your life. If you have been charged with a crime, speak to an attorney at Reisch Law Firm. Our attorneys will fight tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
