When facing criminal charges, you may not be thinking about the effects your actions can have on the rest of your life but rather the immediate consequences of the alleged offense. However, it’s essential to know what you can expect when you’re facing a criminal record. Though our Hidalgo County, Texas criminal defense lawyer is ready to take on your case, you’ll still need to understand the impacts of a record.
What Long-Term Impacts Can I Expect for a Criminal Record?
Whether you’re convicted or not, charges on your record can affect many different areas of your life.
One of the most significant areas a criminal record can impact is your career and employment opportunities. While some employers may not hire anyone with a criminal record, the nature of the charge may affect particular job prospects. For example, if you were charged with a DWI, you would likely not get hired as a commercial truck driver and could have your license suspended or revoked as a result.
Similarly, you may be denied housing opportunities due to the stigma surrounding criminals and those faced with charges. Many landlords will run background checks, meaning you may not be able to obtain housing. Similarly, many banks and mortgage lenders will not provide loans to those with a criminal record, making it difficult to afford a house.
Another way a criminal record could impact your life involves child custody. If you’ve been charged with crimes involving domestic disputes or abuse, you could likely lose guardianship of your children. Similarly, depending on the alleged offense, you would relinquish the ability to adopt children.
Can I Get the Charges Wiped?
While those are just a few areas of life your criminal record could impact, you may be wondering if you can get the charges expunged from your record. In some cases, yes, you can have the alleged offense removed from your file, but you must meet the requirements.
Generally, charges involving sexual assault, criminal assault, or cases that involve children are not eligible for removal from your record in Texas. Similarly, if you’ve been convicted of a felony, you’ll likely be unable to have the charge removed.
However, if you’re eligible to file a petition to have the charges removed from your record, such as having your case dismissed, being found not guilty, or being acquitted, you’ll need to appear for a court hearing.
Why You Need to Hire a Lawyer Immediately
Though you’re likely facing a lot of emotions due to your criminal charge, remaining calm and finding legal representation immediately after you’ve been charged is essential. This can help to lessen the impact of your charges. Whether you’ve committed the crime or not, obtaining a lawyer can help defend you in a court of law. Contacting the Law Office of Angel Davila can help you get the representation you need to fight for the best outcome.
