When most people think about criminal penalties, they only consider incarceration, fines, and perhaps probation. However, one of the most overlooked consequences of a criminal conviction is the impact it could have on your career. Before you make any decisions about your defense strategy, you might want to consider these potential career issues. You can discuss your next steps in more detail with our criminal defense attorneys in South Carolina.
Potential Employers Can Look Into Your Criminal Records
You should know that when you apply for a job in South Carolina, nothing stops a potential employer from looking into your criminal record. They can ask you about this directly; you may need to answer honestly. If you do not answer honestly, the employer can still access your criminal record through publicly accessible court documents. In other words, your criminal record may follow you for the rest of your life.
Some jobs may require more extensive background checks than others. You might be subject to these background checks for jobs involving children or anything related to national security. You may need to limit your job search due to your criminal record.
Even a Misdemeanor Can Cause Career Problems
You might assume that a relatively innocuous crime will not affect your career. However, even a misdemeanor can cause employers to hire different candidates. Like felonies, misdemeanors remain on your criminal record. Your employer could see the specific details of your crime, making it more challenging to find a job. Remember, many job markets are highly competitive in South Carolina. Even a slight disadvantage could be the deciding factor in an employer’s final hiring decision.
Some crimes may be more problematic than others, depending on the job you are applying for. For example, you might apply for a job in a pharmaceutical lab with a misdemeanor drug offense on your record. The employer might feel that you might steal or consume the drugs you handle, and this may cause them to think twice about hiring you.
Another obvious example is the effect of a traffic offense on a future career as a professional driver. DWIs, hit-and-runs, street racing, and related crimes may make pursuing trucking, transport, and delivery careers challenging.
How Can I Stop a Criminal Conviction From Affecting My Career?
The obvious solution is to fight your charges in court. If you avoid conviction, you will not experience any career consequences. If you already have a sentence, you might pursue an expungement with assistance from a defense attorney. You can effectively “erase” your conviction from public records with an expungement or a pardon.
Can a South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?
Our criminal defense attorneys can help you maintain your job security while navigating your charges. While pleading guilty is a viable option in many cases, you must consider how this might affect your career. In many situations, taking the case to trial and pursuing an acquittal is more logical. You can have this conversation with Beasley Tomlinson Law, so schedule your first consultation today.