Many people make the mistake of believing a misdemeanor conviction isn’t serious, and yet, it could potentially impact your life in a variety of ways with huge consequences for your career and relationships.
Before you plead guilty or accept a plea agreement, you must learn more about the effect the offense could have on your future. Find out how a misdemeanor can affect your life and career.
Possible Imprisonment
While many believe that a misdemeanor will not lead to imprisonment, unfortunately, this is not the case. You don’t need to be charged with a felony to be incarcerated for an offense. Usually, a misdemeanor conviction can lead to a maximum imprisonment of one year. What’s more, you may also be required to pay a fine for the offense and to cover court fees. After you serve your sentence, you may reach out to an organization or a reentry transitional housing center that helps previously incarcerated people to adjsut to their new lives in the community.
A Criminal Record
Regardless of whether you are convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, you will have a criminal record. If you commit another offense in the future, you will be deemed a repeat offender, which could lead to a more substantial sentence and fine if found guilty.
Unfortunately, a criminal record can potentially impact your employment opportunities. For example, some employers might have introduced policies to prevent hiring employees with a specific type of conviction, such as:
- Theft
- Violence
- An OUI/DUI
- Fraud
It is, therefore, important to fight a charge to the hilt to prevent a conviction damaging your life and career. For example, if you have been charged with an OUI in Massachusetts, visit www.ouiattorneys.com to prevent a conviction, which could lead to imprisonment, a fine, and the loss of your license.
Damaged Relationships
A misdemeanor conviction cannot only impact your freedom and career, but it could also damage various relationships. For example, it could destroy a romantic relationship, or it could prevent your loved ones from viewing you in the same light. It could also bring shame on your family, which could cause conflict between your loved ones.
A Professional License Suspension
It is also possible a misdemeanor conviction could lead to an offender losing his or her professional license. Many occupations require a professional to adhere to various ethical standards.
For example, your career could be at risk if you currently work as a nurse, teacher, lawyer, or within a government office.
While you will not necessarily lose your license, you will be required to report a charge or conviction to the appropriate licensing board, who might choose to suspend, revoke, or not renew your license.
Immigration
If a person legally lives in the US but is not an American citizen, it is possible they will be deported if they are charged with a misdemeanor crime. Depending on the crime, law enforcement might choose to have a resident deported from the country.
A misdemeanor conviction can be serious and could affect your life and career in multiple ways. It is essential to seek the best representation for an offense to secure a not guilty verdict.
