When a person is convicted of a crime in the state of New Jersey, they face serious consequences as a result of their behavior. While some of these may be immediate, such as fines or jail time, others can have lifelong impacts. Having a criminal record can affect a person’s life in various ways even after they are let out of jail. It is because of this that those facing criminal charges should contact an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney to protect their future.
What are the Long Term Effects of a Criminal Record?
When a person has a criminal record, their life can be impacted in many different ways. This can include the following:
- Their capability to get and keep a job. This is because a criminal record limits the types of jobs a person can have. When an application asks if they have ever been convicted of a crime, they are required to check “yes.” It is important to know that employers usually conduct background checks, which is why applicants who check “no” can be disqualified from the job. In addition to this, individuals convicted of a crime can get fired from their current job.
- Criminal convictions can harm child custody arrangements. The court and a former spouse may use a criminal record against a person to prove they are an unfit parent or a danger to their child.
- A person’s immigration status can be affected, as foreign nationals with a criminal record can be deported or prevented from becoming a citizen in the future.
- If a person commits a crime more than once, they can face harsher penalties.
Can my Criminal Record be Erased?
In New Jersey, those with a criminal record may be able to have it expunged. This allows them to begin again with a clean slate. In 2018, the state’s new expungement laws made the following changes:
- Speeding up certain expungements
- Increased the number of convictions that may be expunged from a record (now up to 4 offenses)
- Shortened the waiting period to expunge a record (now 6 years)
Those who want to expunge their record have to meet certain criteria. New Jersey only allows people to expunge certain crimes from their records. A record cannot be expunged in the event of crimes such as murder, robbery, kidnapping, arson, sexual assault, distribution/possession of controlled substances, or perjury.
Contact our Firm
If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, you need strong legal defense. Contact the Law Office of Carl Spector for dedicated representation. With over 30 years of experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, he offers a unique perspective on how both sides think, and how to best approach each aspect of the case. When your future is on the line, don’t settle for less than the best possible legal representation. Contact an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney who will aggressively fight for you. Call today for a free confidential consultation. Let our experience work for you.
