How a Criminal Record Affects Your Life:
In addition to the immediate repercussions of a criminal conviction, such as jail time or fines, many other areas of your life can be negatively affected by a criminal record. The unfortunate reality of having a criminal record is that many barriers can appear long after the fact: a criminal record can impact your ability to find and maintain work; you may experience social and emotional isolation due to the stigma of being convicted of a crime; or you may lose certain rights and privileges that you once had. It’s important to get ahead of these issues before they become too big to handle.
Difficulties Finding or Keeping Employment
While many states have adopted laws that prevent public sector employers from asking potential job candidates about their criminal record as a condition for employment, 35 states including Nevada still permit private employers to inquire about prior convictions. Additionally, arrest records and criminal charges may appear in pre-employment screenings that may disqualify candidates from finding employment. Further, if you are arrested for a crime and miss work as a result, an employer may terminate your employment based on a no-call, no-show.
Licenses, Rights, and Privileges Revoked
In addition to the enmity that some private employers may hold against hired employees with prior convictions, a felony charge may disqualify you from holding certain work permits, exercising certain rights, or receiving certain benefits.
A DUI conviction may prevent you from driving work vehicles or holding a driver’s license, crimes of moral turpitude (such as violence, drugs, theft, etc.) can disqualify you from holding most professional licenses, and a drug-related felony can disqualify individuals and their dependents from receiving food assistance benefits.
What Can You Do if Charged with a Criminal Offense?
If you have been charged with a criminal offense, you should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you immediately. Finding a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney early will give you the best chance at fighting charges before they can become convictions. In cases where you have already been convicted of a crime, an attorney can help you petition to have your record sealed, making the contents of the case inaccessible to the public. This can help mitigate the long-term effects of having a criminal record by limiting who can view your criminal record and under which circumstances.
Each case is unique, so there is no one catch-all solution to handling a criminal defense case. Contact ZT Law Group to have one of our experienced Clark County criminal defense attorneys provide you with a consultation. Our experience handling criminal defense cases can give you the best chance of fighting the charges that you are faced with. Call (702) 842-4242 to speak with a criminal defense lawyer today.