If you are facing criminal charges, then one of the first questions you might have is what the likely sentence will be if a jury finds you guilty or you plead guilty as part of a plea deal. Yet there is more to it than that.
A criminal conviction can often have many other consequences that can affect your life for a considerable time.
Effects on your career
If you are a licensed professional, many convictions can affect your ability to practice. Even if you are not a licensed professional, finding work could be harder, as many employers will filter your application out as soon as the criminal records show up in a background check. Certain voluntary positions might also be unavailable to you after a conviction.
The right to own a gun
Maybe you like to carry a handgun in the car for safety. Maybe you like to go hunting animals in the woods with your friends. Or perhaps you just find going down the shooting range a great way of letting off steam. Certain criminal convictions will prevent you from owning or possessing a gun, rifle and certain other weapons.
The right to vote
Conviction for a crime that comes with a custodial sentence will cost you the right to vote until you are free from incarceration.
As you can see, however minor the crime may seem, the true cost of a criminal conviction will be far higher. If you are facing charges, consider seeking legal guidance to learn more and see if you have a way to avoid a conviction altogether.