Collateral consequences of convictions are considerable — Part 1

When you are convicted of a crime, you will face several consequences. Some of the consequences you face are those that are ordered by the court. Others are the ones that you will have to deal with even when your court ordered sentence is completed.

Before you make any decisions about your case, you have to think carefully about how each option might play out. This includes looking into not only the court ordered sentencing possibilities, but also other consequences like being labeled as a felon.

The collateral consequences vary depending on the charges of which you are convicted. Some charges, such as rape, might require you to register as a sex offender. Other charges, like assault, might prevent you from getting a job that requires you to pass a background check.

The best time that you can combat these consequences is when you are planning your defense. We can help you explore the options so that you have a good idea of what’s possible. From there, we can help you learn about what consequences of each option might impact your life.

As you consider the possible collateral consequences you are facing, think about how each of these can impact your family. For example, if you are forbidden from carrying a firearm, father-son hunting trips won’t be possible. If you are labeled as a felon, you might not be able to support your family like you want.

We understand that you might have some questions. We can answer those for you so that you understand what you are up against. This will let you make informed decisions about your defense strategy.