Nobody expects to be charged and convicted of a crime, but it is a reality for people every single day in Minnesota. And while we do everything in our power to help you beat the charges or avoid a worst case scenario, sometimes a conviction just can’t be avoided.
But your life isn’t over just because you earned a criminal conviction, especially if you know how to make the best of a bad situation. In today’s blog, we share some tips for moving on in the wake of a criminal conviction in Minnesota.
Picking Up The Pieces After A Conviction
No two criminal convictions are the same, so the exact playbook you’ll want to follow will be tailored to your specific situation. That said, if you keep the following general tips in mind, there’s a good chance you’ll find it easier to move forward with your life in the wake of a conviction.
1. Adhere To Your Post-Conviction Guidelines – First and foremost, you’re going to want to make sure that you understand your post-conviction guidelines. If you are required to stay drug free, check in with a probation officer or stay away from certain parties, make sure you do those things. The quickest way to drum up more trouble for yourself is by failing to adhere to any probation or post-conviction requirements that have been put in place by the court. Make sure you understand them and adhere to them.
2. Stay Off Social Media – Even if your arrest and conviction didn’t make the local paper, it may be a good idea to unplug from social media for a while. Social media can give a false impression about the lives of others, and you may be feeling a little lower than normal after your arrest, so don’t be fooled into thinking that everyone else has their lives together. You don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, and people aren’t quick to share these details, so social media can end up weighing heavy on your mind in the wake of an arrest.
3. Set Reasonable Goals – Set some reasonable and attainable goals for yourself in the coming weeks and months. Set your sights on some positive things that you hope to achieve, and slowly work towards them. Even if you’re just hoping to complete your probation and maintain a job, those are wonderful goals to have for yourself. If you’re not working towards anything, you can fall back into bad habits, so set some goals for yourself.
4. Know You’re Not Alone – A criminal conviction can feel isolating, but know that you’re not alone. Hopefully you had a lawyer by your side during the trial process, and they can still help explain requirements or court documents to you if you have questions or concerns. Don’t be afraid to lean on family, friends, your church or support groups during this time of your life either. You may not want to feel like you’re burdening your friends and family with your issues, but they want to help you through tough times. There are also support groups for people going through all types of issues that can help if you still don’t feel like those around you can empathize with your situation.
5. Go Easy On Yourself – You’re probably your own biggest critic, but try to go easy on yourself following a criminal conviction. It’s easy to be frustrated, annoyed or embarrassed with yourself, but realize that there’s more to you than that one mistake. You are not defined by your criminal conviction, and you decide how the rest of your story ends. Try to focus on the future and not on the past.
For help with any aspect of your criminal case, before or after sentencing, let Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm assist. Give us a call today at (952) 224-2277.
