Long-Term Consequences of Criminal Convictions
Long-Term Consequences of Criminal Convictions
For you to be convicted of a criminal offense in the State of Alabama, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case must prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The prosecution always bears this burden in criminal cases. Moreover, the prosecutor must prove each legal element of the criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you were arrested in Montgomery, contact the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. An experienced criminal defense attorney can represent you and scrutinize the case put forth by the prosecutor. If you are convicted of a criminal offense in Alabama, you risk facing serious consequences. Both the short-term and long-term consequences of a criminal conviction can affect your life economically and socially.
Fines, jail time, and community service are some examples of the immediate consequences related to a criminal conviction. After you finish your sentence, however, having a criminal record can impact your life in many ways. A conviction can make it difficult for you to gain admission to institutions of higher learning, obtain employment, and find housing. It is important to have the right defense so you can avoid a conviction - and related consequences - whenever possible.
The Consequences Of A Criminal Conviction
The following are only some of the possible consequences that you may face if you are convicted of a criminal offense:
- Mandatory sex offender reporting on a federal or state sex offender registry.
- Barriers to stable housing because some apartment complexes do not permit individuals with certain convictions to live on the property.
- Prospective employers may view your criminal record, and this may result in you being denied employment.
- Colleges and universities may deny you admission based in part on your criminal history.
- A professional license that you need for your career might be suspended or revoked.
- Immigration officials could deny you immigration benefits or initiate removal proceedings.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you avoid these consequences by devising a strong legal defense that may result in a dismissal or acquittal. The right attorney can also negotiate with the assistant district attorney to obtain a plea deal. The terms of this plea deal may result in reduced charges or less serious penalties, including the long-term impact on your life.
If you have already been feeling the effects of having a record for some time, an experienced attorney may be able to help you get your criminal conviction expunged if you are eligible under the law.
Contact a Montgomery Criminal Defense Attorney
Even if a charge seems minor, a conviction can impact your life, and you want a Montgomery criminal defense lawyer on your side. Feel free to schedule a consultation with our firm, during which we can discuss the facts of your case, any prior criminal history, and the best options available to you under the law. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side can help you possibly avoid some of the most severe consequences of a criminal conviction.
Contact the Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. today if you are facing a criminal charge in the State of Alabama.
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venue, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
The Law Office of Richard F. Matthews, Jr. serves Montgomery County, Pike County, Elmore County, Autauga County, the River Region of Alabama and throughout the State of Alabama, including Montgomery, Troy, Wetumpka Prattville, Selma and Tuskegee. No attorney-client relationship is established by requesting a consultation or emailing Attorney Richard F. Matthews, Jr.. Information submitted in such communication is not privileged and may be subject to disclosure.
