The Impact Of Having A Criminal Record
If you are facing criminal charges, your entire life could be about to change. Depending on your charges, you may have several months (or even years) of litigation ahead of you. Even after the trial process is finally over, you may continue to face challenges - especially if you are convicted.
As an experienced criminal attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have seen many people suffer the consequences of a criminal conviction. A conviction can result in several undesirable lifelong consequences. Keep reading to learn how having a criminal conviction may impact your life for years to come.
Consequences Of Having A Criminal Conviction
Being convicted of a crime will undoubtedly have a major impact on your life. At the very least, you may be required to pay steep fines, serve time in jail or prison, and possibly serve time on parole or probation. Even after you have paid your dues and gotten past these initial consequences, you will likely continue to see the impact of your criminal conviction. Here are a few examples of the situations you may continue to face for years into your future.
Difficulty Getting A Job
It is common for employers to ask candidates on the application or in the interview if they have ever been convicted of a crime. If your answer is yes, you may be passed over for the job. This not only happens in professional career positions - even some fast food restaurants ask about convictions.
Challenges Finding Housing
Depending on the crime or crimes for which you are convicted, you may find it almost impossible to rent from a large property management company that have a very strict, impersonal application process. You may have more success renting from an individual property owner by making a personal connection with him or her, and demonstrating your personality and character traits that make you a good tenant despite your record. But even this can be a challenge.
Difficulty Getting A Mortgage Loan
Home-ownership is a laudable goal and privilege, but if you have a criminal record, you may have difficulty getting approved for the mortgage loan you need to purchase a home. Though mortgage lenders do not typically conduct background checks, they will perform a thorough investigation of your financial status: your credit score, your outstanding debts, your current income and recent earning history, etc. Since your financial standing may have suffered as you served your sentence, it may be difficult to get approved for a loan.
Inability To Purchase A Firearm
Our state and federal gun control laws are designed to keep our country safe by preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who may abuse their power. Having a criminal conviction (even for a relatively innocuous crime) may throw up red flags that make you seem unsafe to carry a weapon. If you are hunter, it is easy to see how this can severely impact your life and recreational activities.
Challenges Traveling To Foreign Countries
There is a reason going through customs is such a time-consuming process. It is up to each country's leaders and security personnel to keep their citizens safe and protected however they may deem necessary - and that may include refusing entry to individuals with certain criminal convictions on their records.
And More...
The impact a criminal conviction carries does not stop there. Individuals with a criminal record may also have trouble getting into good educational institutions, for example, or being approved for certain types of insurance.
Contact O'Donnell Law Center For Criminal Representation At The Lake
Because of the potential for ongoing stressors, consequences, and challenges, it is important that you hire a strong criminal defense attorney if you find yourself faced with criminal charges. The team at our Lake of the Ozarks law firm will be here to defend your rights do everything we can to ensure you receive the best outcome possible. To learn more about our criminal defense services and the types of charges we defend against, visit our website.
Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is created by the publication of this blog.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.
Phone: (573) 552-0317
O'Donnell Law Center, LLC
1026 Palisades Blvd. Suite 3
Osage Beach, MO 65065
As an experienced criminal attorney at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have seen many people suffer the consequences of a criminal conviction. A conviction can result in several undesirable lifelong consequences. Keep reading to learn how having a criminal conviction may impact your life for years to come.
Consequences Of Having A Criminal Conviction
Being convicted of a crime will undoubtedly have a major impact on your life. At the very least, you may be required to pay steep fines, serve time in jail or prison, and possibly serve time on parole or probation. Even after you have paid your dues and gotten past these initial consequences, you will likely continue to see the impact of your criminal conviction. Here are a few examples of the situations you may continue to face for years into your future.
Difficulty Getting A Job
It is common for employers to ask candidates on the application or in the interview if they have ever been convicted of a crime. If your answer is yes, you may be passed over for the job. This not only happens in professional career positions - even some fast food restaurants ask about convictions.
Challenges Finding Housing
Difficulty Getting A Mortgage Loan
Home-ownership is a laudable goal and privilege, but if you have a criminal record, you may have difficulty getting approved for the mortgage loan you need to purchase a home. Though mortgage lenders do not typically conduct background checks, they will perform a thorough investigation of your financial status: your credit score, your outstanding debts, your current income and recent earning history, etc. Since your financial standing may have suffered as you served your sentence, it may be difficult to get approved for a loan.
Inability To Purchase A Firearm
Our state and federal gun control laws are designed to keep our country safe by preventing firearms from falling into the hands of individuals who may abuse their power. Having a criminal conviction (even for a relatively innocuous crime) may throw up red flags that make you seem unsafe to carry a weapon. If you are hunter, it is easy to see how this can severely impact your life and recreational activities.
Challenges Traveling To Foreign Countries
There is a reason going through customs is such a time-consuming process. It is up to each country's leaders and security personnel to keep their citizens safe and protected however they may deem necessary - and that may include refusing entry to individuals with certain criminal convictions on their records.
And More...
The impact a criminal conviction carries does not stop there. Individuals with a criminal record may also have trouble getting into good educational institutions, for example, or being approved for certain types of insurance.
Contact O'Donnell Law Center For Criminal Representation At The Lake
Because of the potential for ongoing stressors, consequences, and challenges, it is important that you hire a strong criminal defense attorney if you find yourself faced with criminal charges. The team at our Lake of the Ozarks law firm will be here to defend your rights do everything we can to ensure you receive the best outcome possible. To learn more about our criminal defense services and the types of charges we defend against, visit our website.
We Carry Your Burden ~ You Carry On With Life.
Disclaimer: No attorney-client relationship is created by the publication of this blog.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely on advertising.
Phone: (573) 552-0317
O'Donnell Law Center, LLC
Osage Beach, MO 65065
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