If you are convicted of a crime, the judge will order a sentence that may
include fines, jail time, or other penalties, depending on the offense
you've committed. However, there are quite a few "hidden"
penalties that are not included in the sentence, yet will still impact
your life for years to come. In this blog, our Colorado Springs
criminal defense attorney takes a look at these penalties, and the importance of hiring
skilled counsel if you're facing charges.
Financial Penalties
The court imposes a hefty amount of fines, costs and various fees during
the criminal process, but the true financial cost of a conviction goes
far beyond this. An arrest often leads to the loss of your job, and a
conviction can make it significantly tougher to find employment.
Convicted criminals often struggle to gain professional licensing, as well.
Fields like nursing, working with children, therapy, and many others typically
only hire those without a criminal record. While
expungement may be possible, it is better to build a strong defense when originally
facing charges.
No Federal Assistance
Many people attempt to better their lives after a criminal conviction,
and others are productive members of society who made a single mistake.
Despite this, the federal government will not give you an education grant
if you have been sentenced to jail. If the crime you were convicted of
is a drug offense, they may deny you federal loans as well!
It doesn't end there – convictions for narcotics-based crimes
will impact your ability to receive food stamps or live in subsidized
housing. While Colorado is somewhat more progressive than other states
in this area, you still have to show that you are taking steps toward
self-improvement (rehabilitation programs, for example) to collect food stamps.
If you're facing criminal charges, you must take strong and timely
action to protect not only your rights and freedom, but also your future.
Call The Samuelson Law Firm today 24/7 at (719) 941-1127 to learn how we can help.