If you have been convicted of a crime, you may experience long term consequences beyond the sentence ordered by the judge. If you face charges, contact an experienced Palm Coast felony lawyer as soon as possible. Although your attorney cannot guarantee an acquittal, he or she can help you mount an aggressive defense. Additionally, your attorney can discuss what you can expect in the event of a conviction.
Felonies Versus Misdemeanor Convictions
Depending on what stage of the criminal process you’re in, your Palm Coast felony attorney can carefully review the charges against you. Felony crimes carry the most severe penalties and will have the longest-lasting impact on the rest of your life. Misdemeanors are far less severe and in many cases can be expunged. Your attorney can discuss those consequences with you. They may play a big role in strategic decisions you may make regarding any plea bargain offered.
Consequences of a Felony Conviction
Certainly, the most immediate impact of a felony conviction comes from the sentencing. Your attorney will discuss whether you face jail or prison time, probation or other penalties. After you serve your sentence, a felony conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. A criminal conviction can impact decisions involving housing, employment, travel, voting, possession of firearms and other important areas.
Discrimination Against Felony Convicts
State and federal laws protect those with a criminal background from discrimination. However, that doesn’t mean a criminal background can never be considered by a prospective employer or landlord. Felons can be excluded from certain government subsidized housing. In the workplace, though employers can’t discriminate, they can refuse to hire in the fields of healthcare, childcare, legal services etc. Additionally, convicted felons will likely run into trouble if they seek employment in a government job. For employment, there is often no hard and fast rule, but marketability with a felony conviction will be severely impacted.
Possession of Firearms
Convicted felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. This can also form the basis for a parole or probation violation.
Voting
Felons lose their right to vote, serve on a jury or hold certain public offices.
Travel
Your attorney can explain more, but a felony conviction may impact your ability to obtain a visa to travel to a foreign country.
Student Loans
Felons often find they cannot qualify for federal student loans.
Other Consequences
A felony conviction, depending on the nature of the crime, can also impact things like child custody cases. A family law judge generally looks at what is in the best interests of the child, but a prior criminal record can often weigh heavily against the convicted parent.
If you face criminal charges, the sooner you speak to an experienced Palm Coast felony lawyer, the more options you may have for building an aggressive defense. To make an appointment for an initial consultation with the Attorneys at Canan Law, call (904) 849-2266.
