When facing criminal accusations, you may find yourself focusing only on the legal consequences of a conviction. These could include fines and jail time. This naturally leads you to assume that, when you have done your time, the conviction will cease to be a part of your life.
That’s not always true. It can actually follow you around in numerous ways for years on end. It is important to really think about all of the ramifications when considering your defense options.
For instance, one man noted that he had a young son he needed to take care of at home, which made it harder for him to get a job. As he searched, he also found out that a prior conviction held him back. He had a felony on his record. Even when he found jobs that could work with his limited schedule, employers would see the felony and refuse to hire him.
This man had already done his time. He had gone to jail for more than four years. He’d gotten out and had not gotten in legal trouble since. But it still made it far harder for him to get his life on track, just because he had that conviction. Employers did not care that he had paid his debt to society. They just cared that he had been convicted in the first place.
If you are facing accusations, make sure you really think about the big picture and what it means for your future. Consider all of the criminal defense strategies available and make sure you remember your fundamental rights under the law.
