What Are the Consequences of Having a Criminal Record in California?

When someone is convicted of a crime, they will often face jail time and high fines. Unfortunately, the punishment frequently does not end there; in most cases, you will also obtain a criminal record, which may follow you for the rest of your life. Please continue reading and speak with our Red Bluff criminal lawyer to learn more about the potential long-term effects of having a criminal record:

What happens if I have a criminal record?

There are a wide variety of long-term consequences that you may face after obtaining a criminal record. Some of those consequences are as follows:

• Since you will often be required to state whether you have ever been convicted of a crime on job applications, you will most likely find it harder to get a job at certain places of employment.
• If you were convicted of one or more DUI offenses, you may lose your right to obtain a commercial license.
• Depending on the nature of your crime, you may not be allowed to rent certain properties.
• If you are convicted of a sexual assault-related charge, you may have to become a registered sex offender.
• If you are in the United States illegally, a criminal record may warrant your deportation from the country.
• If you are convicted of another crime in the future, you may face heightened sentencing, as the state of California harshly cracks down on repeat offenders.
• If you are a divorced parent, certain criminal convictions may affect your child custody terms (e.g. drug offenses or domestic violence charges), as these may violate the core of your custody agreement, which is that you must always act in your child’s best interests.

These are just some of the ways in which a criminal record can impact your life for years to come, which is why if you are currently facing criminal charges of any kind, the most important thing you can do is speak with a California criminal defense attorney today. Our firm can work to shield you from the ramifications of these charges. Additionally, if you have been convicted of certain low-level offenses in the past, your record may qualify for expunction.

If you believe your record may be cleared, our firm can analyze your case and assist you through the expungement process. Give us a call today or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you. Cohen Criminal Law has your back, every step of the way.