If you face a criminal charge, you have to fight the charge by hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who has compiled an impressive record of successfully litigating criminal cases. The stakes are too high for you to settle for a lesser criminal defense lawyer. A conviction on your record can negatively impact your employment opportunities, limit your borrowing options, and make renting an apartment difficult to do.
When you get convicted of a crime, the crime becomes a part of the public record. Any potential employer, bank, and/or property management company sees your criminal conviction on a background report. Everything from a small-time marijuana possession charge to a major felony shows up on a criminal background check.
Whether your attorney enters a plea bargain to reduce a criminal charge to time served or gets you off on all criminal charges, you should know how a criminal record hurts your future.
Is It Hard to Find Gainful Employment?
Having a felony or a misdemeanor on your criminal record makes it hard to find gainful employment. You might be able to land a quick-service restaurant job, but trying to find a job that matches your professional skills might be an impossible mission to complete. A felony such as a drug offense or a violent crime typically shuts the employment door on otherwise qualified job candidates.
Employers might claim they do not automatically blacklist an applicant who has a criminal record, but the truth is most employers refuse to hire anyone that has a criminal background.
Should You Expect Housing Troubles?
Unless you plan to rent from someone you know, you can expect a property manager or a property management company to run a criminal background check on you. This is especially true if you want to move into a multiple-unit apartment complex. Landlords do not like to assume the legal liability of offering a lease to a convicted criminal. If you do not successfully fight a criminal charge, a conviction will make it nearly impossible for you to secure safe, affordable housing.
Why Would a Bank Deny a Loan Application?
Lending institutions consider several factors when reviewing loan applications. They look at a loan applicant’s credit score, as well as references from an employer and bank statements to determine income. Although having a criminal conviction on your record does not mean you are not capable of paying back a loan, it tells the loan officer at the bank that you are not responsible enough to assume such an important financial obligation.
Does a Criminal Record Make You Ineligible for Student Aid?
Certain types of drug and sexual convictions prevent you from receiving grants and student loans. This can mean you have to forgo college because you cannot afford the tuition to attend a four-year school. Some colleges and universities make exceptions for applicants that complete a drug rehabilitation program. However, most colleges and universities deny financial aid applications for drug convictions.
Will You Be Able to Obtain a Professional License?
Some jobs, such as those in the legal, medical, and financial fields, require professionals to obtain licenses. If you have a criminal conviction on your record, you might find it difficult to earn the licenses and certifications you need to advance your career. The reason for the denied professional licenses is the governing bodies for each license might question your ability to follow the high standards of a particular job.
If you face a criminal charge, act with a sense of urgency by contacting a California criminal defense attorney. Schedule a free case evaluation with Dan E. Chambers today by calling our law firm at 714-760-4088.
