It’s common knowledge that being convicted of a crime, particularly a felony, can lead to significant legal ramifications such as hefty fines, license suspension, imprisonment, and the forfeiture of certain rights. If you’re currently facing felony felony charges, it’s crucial to understand that a felony conviction on your record can extend far beyond just the court-imposed sentence. A felony conviction will have a lasting effect on every aspect of your life, including your career. Please continue reading to learn the adverse impact a felony conviction will have on your profession and how a proficient Escambia County Criminal Defense Lawyer can help you avoid the collateral consequences of felony convictions.
How Can a Felony Conviction Affect My Career?
According to research, an estimated 65 million Americans have a criminal record. You may find searching for an excellent job challenging if you are one of them. While job seekers with criminal records have some legal rights, employers have discretion in hiring decisions. When you apply for a job, one of the first things employers do is run a background check. Employers often use criminal records as a factor in considering an applicant. If they find a felony offense, this could point to signs of moral problems, unethical behavior, dishonesty, and a lack of responsibility. Therefore, many employers feel that felonies are too serious of an offense to overlook.
A felony conviction can also result in the loss of your current job. At-will employment allows an employer to dismiss an employee for any reason and without warning as long as the reason is not discriminatory. That said, a felony conviction can be viewed as evidence of a moral problem, which could be causation for the immediate termination of an employee. It’s crucial to note that if you’re not fired immediately, you may wind up unemployed anyway due to the time off you’ll need to serve your criminal sentence.
Furthermore, a felony conviction can diminish your ability to obtain professional licensure. If you’re a licensed professional or plan to enter a profession that requires one, a felony conviction can result in losing an existing license or denying one in the future. This will ultimately prevent you from doing what you have been trained to do for a living.
Can a Criminal Record Hurt My Education?
If you don’t have a college degree, a felony conviction can make it much more challenging to obtain one. Many universities will review whether you have a criminal record during the application process. While you may not be denied enrollment to the school, you will likely be prohibited from receiving financial aid. This can prevent you from pursuing a higher education as it’s incredibly costly in today’s society.
As you can see, the consequences of a felony conviction stretch way beyond just the court-imposed sentence. To protect your current or future career, it’s in your best interest to enlist the help of a talented criminal defense lawyer from The Law Office of James M. Burns. Our legal team is prepared to defend your rights and interests.
