You may not think that a DUI or drug possession conviction is all that significant in the grand scheme of things, and while it’s our job to help you put a mistake in the past, you may be surprised to learn about all the different ways that a conviction can impact your life. Below, we’re going to dive into a number of different areas of your life that can be impacted by a criminal conviction so you can make the best choice when deciding how you want to defend yourself against the charges.
A Criminal Conviction and Your Life
Not all of these lifestyle factors will impacted by a criminal conviction, but it’s worth noting that they certainly could be, so don’t take criminal charges lightly.
Your Job – Certain convictions for drugs or drunk driving can result in the termination of your employment. If your arrest results in jail time, you can also be fired for missing work. Aside from termination from your current job, a criminal conviction can also make it harder to get hired for a new position because it may show up on a background check.
Your Finances – Along a similar vein, a criminal conviction can severely impact your finances. If the conviction results in the loss of your job, your income source will end and your finances will take a hit. You may also have to pay heavy fines or increased insurance premiums, all of which can affect your bottom line.
Your Family and Social Life – Some convictions can create an irreparable rift in a relationship or marriage, while others can impact a custody agreement and your ability to see your children as regularly. If your conviction involves some probation guidelines, you may not be able to join friends or family in bars, near schools or parks, or leave the house after a certain time of day.
Your Driver’s License – A DUI or an accumulation or traffic tickets can result in the loss of your driving privileges. You probably need your license to get to school, work or to run errands, so losing this can really make life difficult.
Public Assistance – Certain benefits from the Minnesota Department of Human Services can be affected if you’re convicted of drug charges. Don’t lose your public assistance because you chose not to fight a drug charge.
Your Education – A final way that your life can be disrupted by a criminal conviction is if you are currently in high school, college or are applying to college. A conviction can make it harder to get accepted into the college of your dreams, or it can lead to the revocation of your admission if you have already been accepted.
A criminal conviction can impact your life in so many ways, so make sure you discuss all your options with a criminal defense lawyer to ensure you’re making the right decision with the charges. Contact Appelman Law Firm today for a free case review and strategy session.
