If you face drug charges, one of the first things you might do is learn about the legal penalties you could face if you accept the charges or a court finds you guilty. However, many people make the mistake of only considering these. They decide that they can handle the fines or time behind bars without examining the wider consequences a conviction could have for their life.
One of the most significant consequences of a drug conviction could be its effect on your employment options.
You might not be able to practice your profession
Some professions are governed by professional licensing boards. In certain professions, these boards might decide to take away your license to practice if you are convicted of drug crimes. Typically this would be professions where access to drugs is part and parcel of the job such as pharmacists and medical staff.
Another set of jobs that a drug conviction could jeopardize are those where safety is crucial. Employers might no longer trust someone with a drug conviction to be safe because they fear drugs could impair their judgment. For instance, someone who operates heavy machinery in a factory or who drives elderly care home residents for days out.
Another set of jobs that could be affected is those where someone has a position where the moral high ground is important. For instance, a school might decide that parents would think badly of having someone with a drug conviction on the staff. It could apply to voluntary positions too, such as a school governorship.
As you can probably see, a conviction for drug charges could hamper your employment opportunities and your ability to support yourself and your family. That is why it is important to take any accusations seriously, however weak or untrue they are, and act quickly to learn more about your defense option.