A criminal conviction can turn your life upside down. It can cause problems on an individual level, but it can also have an impact on a familial and professional level as well. Knowing how to dust yourself off and move on with your life in a positive manner is essential. We’ve helped countless people get their life back on track after a criminal conviction, and we can help you do the same. In today’s blog, we share some tips for improving your situation in the wake of a criminal conviction.
Moving On After A Conviction
Because a sentence will vary greatly from person to person based on the specific conviction, there’s no one-size-fits-all playbook for getting your life back on track after a conviction. With that said, if you follow these tips, we think you’ll be making it easier on yourself to pick up the pieces of your life after a conviction.
1. Report For Sentencing-Related Duties – If you are supposed to report to jail to serve time or you have been placed on probation and are required to get set up with a probation officer, follow through with these obligations. Judges and the criminal justice system have no problem handing down harsher penalties to people who cannot follow through on their sentencing obligations, so take the first step in getting your life back on track by adhering to the first stages of your sentencing obligations. If you have questions or concerns with any aspect of this process, talk with your lawyer. We’d be more than happy to be a resource for you as you sift through the beginning stages of your sentencing obligations.
2. Maintain A Low Profile – For the next couple of weeks, keep your head down and focus on yourself, your family and your job. Don’t go out looking for trouble, and put yourself in a position where trouble can’t easily find you. If you have a no contact order or have been told to avoid certain places, follow these orders. Don’t send that text message to the victim or head to a bar if you’ve been told to abstain from alcohol. 90% of moving on after a conviction is taking a second to ensure you’re making smart choices going forward.
3. Adhere To All Probation Guidelines – Make sure you truly understand what is being asked of you with your probation guidelines. If you need to check in with a probation officer every week, block off time in your weekly schedule ASAP. If you need to pass regular drug or alcohol screenings, stay away from these substances so that you leave no doubt about your test result. If you need to serve 160 hours of community service, start planing how you’ll chip away at this obligation. Be proactive in your quest to ace your probation period, and seeing it through will become much easier.
4. Lean On Your Circle – You may have friends or family members who will distance themselves from you, and that’s fine. Nobody has full support from every single person on this planet anyways. However, it’s imperative that you find an inner circle that you can trust or who are willing to stand by your side. Whether that’s a spouse, a parent, a friend, a therapist or an online support group, you need to have an outlet to vent to, to cry to and to help support you. Let your inner circle know if you’re struggling or need help, because odds are they’ll be more than willing to lend assistance in your time of need.
5. Set Goals – Finally, set some goals for yourself. Probation can feel restrictive, but goal setting an help you feel like you’re always working towards something positive. Do you want to be six months sober in six months? Do you want to get back to working full time now that your case is in the past? Do you want to be a better father to your children? Set some goals, chart out a plan for achieving them, and put in work every single day to get another step closer to these goals. Your lawyer or your inner circle can help you set or work towards these goals.
Let us help you get your life back on track after a criminal conviction. For help moving on after a conviction, or to connect with a lawyer to hopefully prevent a conviction in the first place, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-8500.
