REASONS WHY A CRIMINAL RECORD CAN HAUNT YOU

Your public record is an extremely important part of your livelihood in many ways. Whenever you engage in a public matter, like changing your name, getting married, or receiving a traffic ticket, it is recorded in the public record.. Your criminal history is also a part of this record. Whenever you are convicted of a crime, your action and sentence are recorded and remain there for the rest of your life. In such situations, even after completing your sentence, your obligation to society might persist. Let's examine some of the enduring effects of having a record in your criminal history.

EMPLOYMENT

A criminal background check has become as standard in job applications as your name and contact information. Employers aim to avoid hiring individuals with problematic histories, so they ensure candidates pose minimal risk to their business and financial stakes. Any criminal record can significantly increase perceived risk. For instance, a theft conviction makes is highly unlikely to be hired for a job working with merchandise or money handling. An assault conviction may disqualify you from working in the medical field. Accepting a plea deal in a sex crime case prevents employment with children, seniors, or other vulnerable groups. Those wanting a commercial driver's license (CDL) often face rejection if they have a criminal history or drug or alcohol-related offenses, especially a DUI.

HOUSING

It may by surprising, but you might struggle finding a place to live if you have a criminal history. Apartment complexes and mortgage lenders can review criminal histories to determine who they deem trustworthy. Apartment complexes turn down those with drug-related criminal histories, because they don't want the risk of having the police raid their properties to make an arrest and/or seize evidence. Lenders will examine any past criminal history to assess whether they think you'll make your loan payments on time, or if they'll need to pursue you or foreclose on your property to reclaim their investment.

SOCIAL PRESSURE

Depending on the type of charges and the potential high-profile nature of your case, you may experience heightened social stress following the resolution of your case. This is especially true for individuals charged with serious offenses, such as violent or sexual crimes, particularly against loved ones. Even if these serious cases prove to be false and your charges are dismissed, convincing the public of your innocence in the aftermath may be challenging. You may not want to expect to receive many warm welcomes when you visit new places, particularly if your case is high-profile with heavy media involvement.

FELONY CONSEQUENCES

Individuals convicted of a felony crime will lose several rights. Felons, by law, are prohibited from owning firearms. Additionally depending on various factors, convicted felons may or may not be allowed to vote in federal, state, or local elections. (Each state has its own election laws.) In Tennessee, convicted felons are also usually forbidden from holding a public office, such as law enforcement or firefighting, and under certain circumstances, they are disqualified from holding an elected public position.

CLEARING YOUR RECORD

Expungement is the process of removing and destroying your criminal history from your public record.

Once your eligible criminal convictions are expunged, you will no longer need to disclose them, and anyone conducting a public background check on you should not find any restrictive entries. Not all criminal charges are eligible for expungement. Your specific criminal conviction must be eligible for expungement. For example, most felonies are ineligible for expungement, while many misdemeanors are eligible. However, the list of exempt misdemeanors is fairly long, and includes most violent, destructive, or sex-related misdemeanor crimes. It's strongly advised you seek the advice of an attorney to determine if you qualify for expungement and get assistance with the process if you wish to pursue the expungement route.