Being convicted of a crime can be difficult. There are stiff penalties to face, fines to pay, and sometimes time behind bars. After the convicted person has served their time and has paid their debt to society, one would think they were allowed a fresh start and a chance to have a life with a clean slate.
This is not always the case. Having a criminal record can come with unforeseen difficulties. Knowing what these difficulties are can help a person with a criminal conviction to plan for the future. If you need advice about how your criminal record is affecting your life, contact a Lakewood, CO, criminal defense attorney today.
Hopefully, after a criminal conviction, you are pursuing a better life. It is unfortunate that your past mistakes factor into your life at all, other than deterring you from making poor choices again. Although, they often factor into your personal life in a number of ways, some of which are discussed below:
A criminal record can make securing housing difficult. Many landlords do background checks, and while there is usually competition for housing in many Colorado markets, the landlords can have their pick of those applying to rent a home from them. They will consider the neighbors and their property and will often bypass those who seem risky, and a criminal record can raise red flags in the risk department.
Depending on the crime, you could be denied affordable housing benefits as offered by Section 8 housing. Sex crimes and crimes that involve methamphetamine manufacturing will make you ineligible to qualify for housing help under Section 8.
When determining child custody or visitation, you can expect that a criminal record might be a factor. Depending on the nature of the crime, such as in the case of sex crimes or abuse, one might not be given access to their children, or they could be assigned supervised visitation.
Other stipulations may also be required, such as those listed below:
A criminal record can have a negative impact on your professional life. Finding a job or pursuing a career in a field you were trained in can be more difficult. You may face quite a few obstacles.
Professional licenses or certifications can be revoked or suspended. This can be extremely disheartening after spending the time and paying for an education. That time can feel wasted if the person can no longer do the work they are qualified to do.
Another difficulty is finding a job. Some companies do background checks, and nearly all applications ask if you have a criminal record. Employers may feel uncomfortable taking a risk on someone with a criminal record when other applicants have clean records.
If you are facing a criminal conviction, the criminal defense attorneys at Flesch & Beck Law are ready to develop a strategy to fight the charges against you. We do not want you to face any of the consequences that come from a criminal record. If you have already been convicted and need help rebuilding your life, we can also offer advice and resources.