Ten Ways A Criminal Record Can Affect Your Life
As soon as you find out that you’ve been charged with a criminal offence, you’ll want to start thinking about finding a criminal defence attorney. This is because a conviction can have serious consequences for not just your life, but also for the lives of people who are close to you. Below are some of the potential consequences of having a criminal record.
In many ways, your life will become more difficult if you have a criminal record. It can be hard to find a job, and if you do find one, you may not be able to advance in your career. You may also have trouble finding housing, and if you’re able to rent or buy a home, you may end up paying more for it. Your personal relationships can also suffer; it may be harder to make and keep friends, and your family members may worry about being associated with you.
You Will Lose Travel Privileges
If you have a criminal record, your driver’s license could be suspended or revoked. Depending on the severity of your offence, you may not be able to drive for a certain period of time or at all. If you are charged with a crime, you may be at risk of losing your license. In some cases, drivers risk losing their licenses if they receive a citation for a moving violation. Penalties can be severe and include the suspension or revocation of your license. You could also be banned from flying, exiting Canada or entering certain countries.
You May Be Prohibited from Owning Firearm
If you are convicted of certain charges, you will lose your privilege to own firearms or use them. This means that you will not be able to purchase, possess, or carry firearms. If you are convicted of certain charges, you will be unable to buy or own weapons. The charge will remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life and make it impossible for you to carry or own a firearm in the future.
You May Be Excluded from Becoming A Citizen
If you are an immigrant Canada can exclude you from getting citizenship or naturalization. This means that you may not be able to live in the country permanently, vote, own property, or have other rights that citizens have.
You Will Have Issues Getting A Job
Even if you are the most qualified person for a job, you may not be able to get hired or promoted if you have a criminal record. This is because some employers are not willing to take on someone with a criminal past, regardless of their qualifications. A lot of good jobs have clauses against people who have a criminal record even if those people did not have a conviction.
You May Face Child Custody Problems
Your ex-partner may try to win child custody and prevent you from seeing your child. However, there are ways you can fight for your rights as a parent. With the right support, you can make sure you stay involved in your child’s life.
You May Not Qualify for Healthcare Licenses
The majority of healthcare professionals and other licensed individuals lose their ability to practice when they commit a crime, either by risking their license revocation or even being denied licensure altogether due to offences such as theft or fraud. Applications for reinstatement or new licenses may be submitted in cases where applicants can prove rehabilitation via clean criminal records.
You Can Be Refused from Rental Properties
The amount of time that must pass between expungement and applying for housing is complex and varies by province. Any former conviction may cause problems even after all legal dues are paid and records are sealed or destroyed. Landlords may refuse to rent or lease their property to you. Since getting a loan from a bank is usually an issue as well, you will have problems finding housing unless you can buy a home in cash.
You May Not Be Allowed to Adopt Children
Background checks are a common procedure that the vast majority of adoption agencies enforce. They will check to see if you have a criminal record and if you have previously been married or engaged. If you do have a criminal record, some countries may be more lenient than others. In addition, the criteria for being approved or denied for adoption may vary depending on your local laws. Depending on the local laws as well as what you have a criminal record for, you may not be allowed to adopt children even when you have a suitable partner.
You Can Face More Severe Penalties for Future Crimes or Wrongdoings
Any future wrongdoing in addition to previous convictions can lead to harsher sentences as well as penalties. An existing criminal record may make it difficult to prove innocence if charges are later filed; while some offences can be cleared after a set amount of time has elapsed (including youthful indiscretions or mistakes in judgement), others remain with individuals for life.
If you have a criminal record, any action deemed illegal or harmful to society could potentially make your situation worse if you get caught breaking another law before your record gets cleared.
Your Future Career and Education Prospects Will Be Limited
Having a criminal record can make it much harder to get into a good college or graduate school. Some schools may outright reject you, while others may require more recommendations or additional requirements to prove that you won’t be a liability. Even if you are able to get into college, securing a student loan can be another difficult hurdle to overcome.
Free Yourself from Having A Criminal Record
If you’re facing criminal charges, your best bet is to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer. A lawyer can help you navigate the criminal justice system and protect your rights, and may even be able to get your charges reduced or dropped entirely. Calvin Barry is a top-rated criminal defence attorney who has helped many clients achieve favourable outcomes. Contact Calvin Barry Law today to schedule a free consultation.
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