A conviction is a determination by a judge or jury that a criminal defendant has committed a crime. A conviction may follow an arraignment, a guilty plea that is accepted by the court, or a trial where the judge or jury finds the defendant guilty of a charged offense.
Regardless of whether a person is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor offense, the consequences of their conviction can impact their life long after they have served their sentence. These effects, which are referred to as collateral consequences, can include barriers in the job market, difficulty accessing housing and public benefits, and restrictions on professional licenses.
For example, a conviction of a sex offender offense will often lead to a lifetime ban on housing assistance programs, which can be difficult for individuals to overcome without assistance from friends or family members. Similarly, certain types of drug convictions can limit a person’s access to employment opportunities or career advancement in their field.
A well-prepared and experienced criminal defense attorney can help mitigate the damaging consequences of a criminal conviction. Depending on the case and the severity of the offense, an experienced attorney can work to negotiate alternative penalties or reductions to prevent collateral consequences that will limit a person’s ability to live independently and support their families. Alternatively, an attorney can work to appeal a conviction if it was based on flawed evidence or false allegations. Click on the categories below to learn more about policies and laws relating to collateral consequences.