A person who is convicted of a felony may serve time in prison and, upon release, discover that his or her record follows him or her. Even those who plead guilty or no-contest to a nonviolent misdemeanor could experience problems that persist in life. Sadly, Missouri residents could find that having a criminal record could lead to significant financial troubles.
Effects on employment and finances
A person with a criminal background may find securing employment difficult. Employers may perform a background check for a particular job. Upon revealing a criminal conviction, the employer could dismiss the applicant from consideration.
In some instances, a conviction may make someone ineligible for a job even if the employer wants to hire him or her. Felony convictions bar someone from owning or possessing a firearm, which removes the individual from many security careers.
DUI convictions may lead to restricted driving privileges or license suspensions and revocations. For some, being unable to drive could mean being unable to work.
Of course, imprisonment takes people out of the workplace. Spending 10 days in jail could lead to someone getting fired. Serving 10 years in the state prison removes a decade of employment earnings and experience.
Other financial considerations
Scores of other financial burdens could affect someone who is not only convicted of a crime, but also even accused of one. Public opinion may convict an innocent person. Proving innocence in a court of law may require paying significant legal defense fees. A plea bargain or conviction may also come with a fine. For some, even a relatively small fine could cause financial hardships.
Some people may hold out hope for expungements. Expunging a criminal record may be possible under certain circumstances. Exploring expungement options could be worthwhile.
A successful criminal defense strategy may help someone avoid hardships associated with a conviction. Criminal records may cause long-standing financial consequences, so defendants may hope for not guilty verdicts and dismissals of charges.
