A criminal charge in New Jersey, even for a seemingly minor offense, carries significant and far-reaching consequences that can drastically affect your life. The most critical repercussion is the potential of a criminal record. This record, once created, becomes a permanent fixture in public and private databases, making it accessible to numerous entities and often presenting substantial hurdles to future opportunities. Please continue reading as we explore how a criminal record can affect you and how a determined Bergen County Criminal Defense Attorney can work to get your charges reduced or even dropped.
What is a Criminal Record?
A criminal record, commonly referred to as a rap sheet, is an official document detailing an individual’s history with the criminal justice system. Essentially, it’s a comprehensive compilation of interactions, ranging from arrests to convictions, and can include information about charges, dispositions, and sentencing. It’s crucial to distinguish between a criminal record and an arrest record. An arrest record includes all arrests, irrespective of conviction, whereas a criminal record primarily details convictions.
Government agencies, like national or state police forces, typically maintain this record, which is often accessible to various entities under specific circumstances. Criminal records serve various functions. They are often utilized in background checks for employment, housing, security clearances, and immigration. Additionally, they play a role in criminal investigations, aiding in suspect identification, and can influence sentencing in criminal prosecutions.
How Can a Criminal Record Affect Your Future?
The existence and content of a criminal record can profoundly impact an individual’s life. It can impact:
- Employment: Even without a conviction, a criminal charge on your record can hinder your job search and lower your earning potential. In most cases, prospective employers have a right to conduct background checks and may decline to hire you based on their findings.
- Housing: New Jersey landlords often run background checks on potential renters, and a criminal record can make it difficult to secure suitable accommodations.
- Education: Having a criminal record can impact your ability to be admitted to college or graduate school, depending on the specific institution’s policies. Furthermore, a sexual or drug-related offense may disqualify you from receiving necessary financial aid to pursue a higher education.
- Professional Licensing: A criminal record can lead to the denial or revocation of licenses required for certain professions.
- Immigration: For foreign nationals, a criminal record can have devastating immigration consequences, including deportation or the rejection of visa applications.
- Civil Rights: A criminal record can affect your right to vote, serve on a jury, and possess firearms. The specific restrictions depend on the nature of the conviction.
- Child Custody: In many cases, a criminal record involving domestic violence or other violent acts can negatively impact your parental rights.
It’s important to note that in some cases, certain criminal records may be eligible for expungement. However, serious offenses like homicide, kidnapping, robbery, and some sex offenses are not eligible.
As you can see, a criminal record can haunt you for the rest of your life. At The Law Office of Carl Spector, we are prepared to help shield you from an uncertain future. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can fight for you.