How a Criminal Record Can Impact Your Life

Your job, housing and more can all be affected by having a criminal record.

How a Criminal Record Can Impact Your Life

If you have been charged with a crime, your immediate concern is probably what will happen to you in the short-term. Will you have to go to trial? Will you go to jail or prison? What many people don’t think about is the long term effects of a criminal record, yet this is often the part that can have the most significant impact on a person’s life. Even for a misdemeanor offense, a criminal record can have negative consequences for years. That is why it is so vital to hire the a top quality Anaheim criminal defense lawyer to defend you against California criminal charges.

There are a number of ways that a criminal record can impact your life. The following five examples are perhaps the most significant ways that a person with a conviction may suffer for years after paying their debt to society.

  1. Employment
  2. In California, it is now forbidden for employers to have a “box” on employment applications for job hunters to check to indicate if they have a criminal record. While “ban the box” legislation has gone a long way towards removing the stigma of a criminal record, it has not fully removed the potential impact of a criminal record.

    First, if a person’s criminal history is related to the type of work that a company performs, management can still ask about a criminal record. For example, if the job requires working with kids and a person has a criminal record related to child abuse, that question is relevant. In this way, a person’s criminal record can prevent them from working in a given field.

    Second, a criminal record may bar people from obtaining professional licenses. Each state licensing board sets its own standards, and some boards may completely ban applicants with criminal records. This can mean that anyone with a criminal record can never work in a particular career field.

  3. Housing
  4. Many landlords and property management companies run background checks on applicants. If you have a criminal record, your application may be denied outright. This is particularly true if you have been convicted of drug sale or possession charges, which may also prevent you from accessing public housing benefits.

  5. Credit
  6. If you have a criminal record, it can be difficult to maintain a job or find financing. This can hurt your credit score, which will then make it even harder to purchase a home or a vehicle. It is a vicious cycle that is a long-term impact of a criminal record.

  7. Driver’s License
  8. Some arrests, such as for driving under the influence, result in the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. This can affect your ability to work, go to school and perform other tasks while your license is suspended or revoked (unless you qualify for a restricted license). In addition, you will likely have to pay higher insurance premiums for years after having your license suspended or revoked. If you are facing a criminal charge that may result in a driver’s license suspension or revocation, be sure to contact an Anaheim criminal defense lawyer.

Other RightsAfter a criminal conviction, particularly for a violent or felony offense, you may have certain rights revoked. This includes the right to vote while you are convicted, and may include a lifetime ban on possession a firearm. Some convictions may also impact your ability to have custody of your children.

Having a criminal record can have a substantial impact on your life, which makes it all the more important to hire an experienced Anaheim criminal defense lawyer if you have been charged with a crime. For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, contact the Chambers Law Firm today.

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