How a Criminal Record Can Affect Your Life

How a Criminal Record Can Affect Your Life 

For a criminal prosecutor to obtain a conviction against you, he or she must prove the case ‘beyond a reasonable doubt.’ Although this is a high legal burden to satisfy, if you are ultimately convicted of the underlying criminal charge, you could be looking at numerous penalties, including fines, jail time, community service, and/or possible probation. 

The best way to prevent a criminal record is obviously to stay out of trouble. However, if you are charged with a crime, you need an attorney on your side who will strongly advocate for your legal interests and work to minimize the potential consequences of a conviction. In some instances, depending upon the criminal charge and the facts/circumstances of your case, your attorney might be able to get the charge thrown out and have the court dismiss your case. 

If you are currently facing one or more criminal charges in Alabama, it is essential that you understand your legal rights – and that you speak with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. Experienced Alabama criminal defense attorney Terry Luck of Luck Law will be able to meet with you and discuss your available options. We could then help you pursue the best possible option that is available to you in your case, whether that be entering a defense to the criminal charge or negotiating a favorable plea deal with the prosecuting attorney. 

Consequences of Having a Criminal Conviction on Your Record 

If you are charged with and convicted of a crime in Alabama, that fact will be noted on your criminal record. Having a criminal conviction on your record can lead to serious consequences – especially since employers, landlords, and others regularly perform criminal background checks before making their decisions. Having a criminal history and/or a criminal record that is visible to the public can make it difficult to do any of the following:

• Get (or keep) a job with certain employers
• Find a place to live
• Gain admission to an educational institution, such as a college or university

Avoiding a Record by Defending Against the Criminal Charge

One of the best ways to avoid a criminal conviction record is to avoid a conviction in the first place. You could potentially avoid a criminal conviction in your case by asserting one or more legal defenses to your criminal charge. The number of potential defenses that are available to you in your case will likely depend upon the nature and extent of your pending charge(s) and the facts surrounding your incident. Potential defenses that could result in a dismissal of your case include the following:

• Provable alibi
• Self-defense or defense of others
• Mistaken identity

Speak with an Experienced Montgomery Criminal Defense Attorney about Your Legal Matter Today

Luck Law can help you defend against your criminal charge and work to avoid a criminal record and other consequences. For a free legal consultation and case evaluation with a knowledgeable Montgomery criminal defense attorney, please call us today at (334) 262-5455 or contact us online for more information about how we could assist you with defending against your criminal charge.