Following an arrest in Las Vegas, you may face criminal charges and worry about the potential consequences associated with a conviction. Consequences of criminal convictions can include immediate effects from a sentence, such as prison time and fines, and long-term effects, like the loss of specific civil rights and the stigma of a criminal record. Turning to a criminal defense attorney for advice and advocacy can help you avoid or mitigate the harshest consequences of a conviction.
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Immediate Legal Consequences
The immediate consequences of a criminal conviction are handed down during sentencing. Depending on the nature of the crime and your circumstances, a Nevada criminal sentence can include jail or prison time. Whereas misdemeanors usually carry sentences of a year or less in jail, felonies can result in years or decades in prison, depending on the offense. You may also have to pay fines ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, and potentially court fees or investigation costs.
When you can avoid jail or prison time, the court may impose a term of probation instead of incarceration. Probation requires you to follow various restrictions or requirements, including regular check-ins with probation officers, maintaining employment, avoiding drugs or alcohol, and not committing new crimes. Violating probation can result in the court imposing a jail or prison sentence.
Effects on Rights
If you are convicted of a felony offense or specific misdemeanors, you may also face consequences that affect your civil rights. You may lose your right to vote while incarcerated. However, Nevada law automatically restores your voting rights upon release from prison. You also lose the right to hold public office for four years after release from prison and the right to serve on juries in criminal cases for six years after release.
People convicted of felonies or domestic violence crimes (both felonies and misdemeanors) cannot lawfully possess firearms unless they receive a pardon from the governor to restore their firearms rights.
Professional Consequences
People convicted of criminal offenses may face various professional consequences. Some crimes may disqualify you from applying for specific jobs, including law enforcement positions. Although employers might not specifically ask you whether you have a conviction, a criminal record can show up on background checks conducted by potential employers.
If you apply for professional licensure, you may have to disclose your convictions on your application. Depending on the license, a conviction may disqualify you from obtaining it or subject you to suspension or revocation proceedings.
Finally, a conviction may seriously affect your current employment. When you must serve a jail or prison sentence for a criminal conviction, your employer may choose to terminate your employment since they cannot report to work for weeks, months, or even years. Even if you can return to work after receiving a sentence that only includes probation, your employer may choose to let you go due to the stigma of a criminal conviction.
Personal and Financial Consequences
Criminal convictions can also result in personal and financial consequences. You may have trouble obtaining housing when landlords conduct background checks. Landlords may not want to lease to individuals with criminal records, especially when that criminal history includes violent or drug crimes. Certain criminal convictions, such as drug offenses, may also disqualify you from public assistance, such as public housing or welfare benefits.
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A criminal conviction can also make obtaining financial services challenging, as financial institutions or lenders may view you as a more significant risk of defaulting on credit obligations.
Social Implications
The stigma of a criminal conviction can adversely affect your social standing. Friends and family members may cut off or refuse to associate with you if you have a criminal conviction. You may also find meeting new friends or romantic partners challenging when they learn about your criminal history. A criminal conviction may also factor into child custody proceedings, as courts may restrict or terminate your custody or visitation rights, including imposing supervised visitation.
Immigration Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
Non-citizens may also face catastrophic immigration consequences from a criminal conviction. In many cases, a non-citizen may face removal or deportation proceedings following a criminal conviction. Even if a permanent resident does not face the revocation of their lawful permanent status for a criminal conviction, their criminal record may mean the loss of eligibility to seek naturalization or U.S. citizenship.
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help You Mitigate the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction?
Hiring experienced legal counsel can help you avoid or mitigate the potentially devastating consequences of a criminal conviction. Having a criminal defense attorney represent you during prosecution can help you present a defense strategy that may help you secure a dismissal of your charges or an acquittal at trial. A defense lawyer can investigate your charges to secure evidence supporting various defense strategies. When applicable, an attorney can also help you seek alternative dispositions of your charges, such as applying to diversionary programs that may help you avoid a conviction or criminal record.
Following a conviction, a criminal defense attorney can help you mitigate the consequences by vigorously advocating on your behalf during sentencing proceedings. Your attorney can present mitigating evidence like character testimony or mental health records to argue for a lighter sentence, which may include probation and rehabilitation programs instead of incarceration.
Finally, an attorney can help you apply to seal your criminal record if your convictions qualify for sealing. Sealing a criminal record prevents it from showing up in background checks for employment, housing, educational programs, or financial services.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
When you face criminal prosecution in Las Vegas, you need experienced legal representation to avoid or minimize a conviction’s legal and personal consequences. Contact De Castroverde Law Group Criminal & Immigration today for a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer. We will help you understand the potential consequences of a criminal conviction and discuss how our firm will fight to protect your rights, reputation, and future.