A criminal conviction can come with more consequences than meets the eye. In addition to fines, probation and/or jail sentences a criminal conviction can lead to “collateral consequences.”
Defining Collateral Consequences
Collateral consequences refer to all the potential consequences of a criminal conviction that are not directly related to the conviction itself (jail, probation or fines). These are instead consequences that result from having a conviction on your record, or that are the result of an extended prison sentence.
Types of Collateral Consequences
There are many different types of collateral consequences for criminal convictions. Some of the most common consequences that can come from a criminal conviction are:
- Losing your job or having difficulty finding a new job;
- Significant ramifications for your professional license such as legal or medical licenses;
- Driver’s license suspension or revocation;
- Right to possess guns, firearms or other weapons;
- Getting denied from colleges or professional training programs;
- Losing access to scholarships, grants or loans;
- Losing access to certain entitlements, such as Social Security or Medicaid;
- Immigration consequences including possible deportation.
How They Can Affect Your Case
The potential collateral consequences of a criminal conviction can be as bad or worse as the actual sentence for the crime. Even a relatively minor sentence can result in personal and professional issues that follow you for the rest of your life, which is something you should consider before accepting any type of plea deal.
What You Should Do
If you are charged with a crime you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Fox Law Firm, PLLC will help you defend your rights if you have been accused of a crime.
For more information or to ask for a consultation, you can call our Riverhead office at 631-779-3400, or you can visit our contact page.
