The Impact of Criminal Records: How a Conviction Affects Your Future

When you have been charged with a crime, your first thoughts typically involve what steps you can take to remain out of jail. However, the repercussions of a criminal conviction are far-reaching and can have a lasting impact on your life, even if you don’t serve time or only spend a minimal amount of time incarcerated. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney represent you and guide you through your criminal charges is the best way to understand what you are up against and the best options available to you.

Impact on Employment

A criminal conviction can have a detrimental impact on your ability to obtain and retain gainful employment. Many employers will refuse to offer a job to someone with a criminal record, especially if that record includes convictions for assault and battery, rape, theft, or armed robbery. Some employers, however, will offer convicted felons a second chance, but not typically in the areas of education or healthcare.

Impact on Housing

Having a criminal conviction can impact your ability to find housing. Many landlords refuse to rent to persons with certain convictions. When the conviction is for a sexual offense, and you are required to register as a sex offender, housing options are even more limited.

Impact on Constitutionally Protected Rights

A criminal conviction may impact certain rights afforded to United States citizens under the Constitution. This includes the right to vote and the right to bear arms.

Impact on Immigration

If you are from another country, a criminal conviction can impact your ability to stay in the United States or your right to re-enter should you ever leave.

Impact on Education

Many institutions of higher learning will deny you entrance to their schools if you have certain criminal convictions. Of course, this varies widely from school to school and the type of conviction.

Impact on Licenses

Convictions of certain crimes can have a negative impact on your ability to hold certain licenses, such as a driver’s license, a license to teach, and a license to practice medicine. Your criminal defense attorney can help you understand a conviction’s impact on your ability to retain certain licenses.

Impact on Ability to Have a Firearm

Certain convictions can impact your right to purchase, transfer, or even possess a firearm. If hunting or possessing a firearm is important to you or your career, you should ask your attorney what impact a conviction will have on your right to have a firearm. Most attorneys will not discuss the impact of a conviction on their client’s ability to possess a firearm unless they are specifically asked by their client.

Impact on Reputation

Finally, a criminal conviction can seriously impact your reputation in your community. Having to register as a sex offender is especially detrimental to your reputation. Sex offender registries are public record and in some cases, you may have to remain on the registry for the rest of your life.

Goodwin Como, P.C.: Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorneys On Your Side

If you are facing criminal charges, you need to consider how a conviction will affect the rest of your life. At Goodwin Como, P.C., our attorney will walk you through all your options and explain how they will impact your life in the long run. Contact us to learn more about our services by calling 724-438-1616 or via our contact page.