Unfortunately, the social stigma around criminal records has the potential to affect your life in a multitude of ways. Even so, a report in the Journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that nearly one in three people will be arrested by the time they reach the age of 23! Luckily, a momentary indiscretion does not have to limit your future opportunities. Whether your conviction resulted from a lack of judgment or something a bit more serious, it’s important to understand the effects of a criminal record, and what you can do to mitigate any possible damages.

Potential Effects of a Criminal Record in California

A criminal record can affect your life even after serving your time or completing probation. Below are just some of the ways a criminal record can negatively influence your future:

Effects of a Criminal Record on Future Employment

One of the most substantial ways a criminal record can affect your life is its negative effect on employment options. Typically, employers will conduct a basic background check when hiring new employees. This background check gives the employer information on the applicant’s past addresses, aliases, credit score, and other data detailing the applicant’s life up to that point. Unfortunately, background checks will also display criminal charges both with and without conviction. Further, while California law prohibits employers from taking into consideration charges that did not result in conviction, the stigma still remains.

Certain fields of employment require a license; however, a criminal record can bar you from obtaining the license required to work in your field. For example, a drug conviction may prevent you from working as a pharmacist. That said, even if a conviction does not totally bar you from employment, it may cause you extra trouble. For instance, a person entering the field of law would have to provide details of each arrest listed in their criminal record.

How a Criminal Record May Affect Your Civil Rights

A criminal record may also have a negative impact on some of your basic rights. For example, you may lose the chance to serve on a jury. While some see jury duty as a burden, others see it as a civic duty or privilege. Similarly, a criminal record may bar an offender from carrying a gun, and in some cases, can prevent an offender from voting. Finally, certain offenses may limit where an offender may live, what activities they may participate in, and with whom they may associate.

Expungement of Your Criminal Record Can Help

If you have been convicted of certain crimes, you may be eligible for expungement. Expungement vacates your criminal case and strikes it from your record. Generally speaking, if the court has charged an individual with either a felony or a misdemeanor, and that individual has satisfied the terms of their probation, they may be eligible for expungement.

If you are considering filing for expungement, reach out to the team at A People’s Choice. We have decades of experience in preparing the lengthy paperwork required for a variety of legal proceedings, including expungement and dismissal actions. Our services allow clients to secure the legal document preparation they need without the costly burden of hiring an attorney. Begin the process of reclaiming your future, and reach out to A People’s Choice today.

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