3 ways violent convictions can impact you beyond a prison sentence

On Behalf of | Jul 31, 2024 | Criminal Defense

When a person is facing violent charges, they may be concerned about the penalties that a court could impose in the event of conviction. They should also consider the collateral consequences that may arise post-conviction, as doing so can help to inform their defense strategy.

Collateral consequences are those that aren’t imposed as part of sentencing. Instead, they arise in other areas of life as a result of an individual’s criminal circumstances. Three of the more common concerns that people may have to deal with if they are convicted of a violent offense include the following.

Employment opportunities

One of the most immediate and severe impacts of a conviction for a violent offense involves employment opportunities. Background checks before being officially hired are common at many companies. Any convictions for violent offenses may be a disqualifier for certain positions, such as those that have to do with direct contact with vulnerable individuals, such as children or the elderly.

Even a person who’s currently employed may face issues at work. Some companies will terminate people who have a conviction for a violent offense. Others may find that their options for advancement within a company are limited because of their conviction.

Housing options

Many landlords do background checks now. A conviction can prevent a landlord or property management company from leasing to a person because they consider the conviction to be evidence of a safety risk for themselves and other tenants. In many cases, public housing options are limited because of government regulations for housing programs. Some people who have convictions on their records have to live in less-desirable areas or pay higher rent to a landlord who isn’t concerned about a tenant’s criminal history.

Social stigma

A conviction can severely impact a person’s social life. Family members and friends may avoid an individual with a criminal record because of the stigma and shame that’s often associated with this reality. Some people may also feel uncomfortable or even unsafe being around someone with a criminal past.

One of the most important things that anyone who’s facing violent criminal charges should remember is that they need to get to work on their defense strategy as soon as possible. In some cases, this may include a plea deal or other options to minimize the impact that a potential conviction could have on their future.