Facing criminal charges is challenging. In addition to learning about the potential consequences, you likely are learning about the entire criminal procedure.
The criminal court system can seem intimidating and confusing. The more serious your alleged crime, the more these feelings can increase. After an arrest, you may feel like your life is centered around dealing with your criminal charge with little room for anything else.
Here’s what you should know about the impact criminal charges can have on your life.
No conviction necessary
Being charged with or indicted on a serious crime can have significant consequences even before you have your day in court, including:
- Temporary or permanent loss of ability to purchase a firearm
- Challenges getting or keeping a job
- Loss of your right to reside in your own home or apartment
- Restrictions on who you can talk to, including your spouse
Although you might be able to get these privileges back if you are acquitted, you may still have the stigma of having criminal charges on your record.
Is expungement an option?
Depending on your charges and your case’s result, you could meet the requirements to have some charges removed from your record. Expungement is when the court will agree to remove a charge from your history, such as:
- Acquittal
- Dropped charges
- Fulfillment of specific time requirements
- Dismissed charges
Avoiding conviction should not be the only goal of your criminal defense. Leaving criminal charges on your record can make it difficult to move on with your life.