Understanding the full range of consequences you could potentially face if convicted of a crime is crucial when facing charges. Too many people fail to put up a fight to clear their name because they underestimate the effect a conviction will have on their lives.
One effect you might not have considered is the loss of certain rights you have probably taken for granted up till now. Here are some that could be taken away from you:
The right to own a gun
Maybe hunting trips were part of your childhood, and you have had rifles your whole life. Or perhaps you only bought a small handgun recently to keep in your handbag for personal security when out late at night. You may lose the right to own a gun if convicted of certain crimes.
The right to vote
You won’t be able to vote in Maryland while imprisoned for a felony. Depending on how long your sentence is, that could mean you miss out on several opportunities to have your say as to the running of your state and country. You will usually get those voting rights back once you are released.
The right to apply for certain jobs or positions
Some organizations and employers will refuse to consider your application if they discover you have a criminal conviction. In other cases, it will depend on what the conviction was for. This could put paid to your dream career, make it impossible for you to contribute to the community in the way you wish or just make it more difficult to earn the income you need to support yourself and your family (if you have one).
Beating the charges could protect all these rights, as well as spare you all the other consequences of a conviction. While it won’t always be possible, it is definitely worth investigating all avenues to see if it is.