Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Conviction
For many people, fears about being convicted for criminal offense are often based on the possible fines and prison sentences that may be imposed. In truth, criminal convictions carry many other long-term consequences that make other case resolutions far more preferable.
The collateral consequences of convictions depend on the specific crime that an individual was convicted of. A person’s professional career may be jeopardized; he or she could lose some fundamental rights, and even have trouble getting a job in the future. When any individual is facing criminal charges in Texas, it is very important for that person to fully understand all of the ways in which is his or her life could be impacted by pleading guilty or if he or she is convicted of the alleged criminal offense.
The National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction (NICCC) is supported by a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, and the United States Department of Justice. The Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-177 § 510, 121 Stat. 2534, 2544) directed the National Institute of Justice to collect and analyze the collateral consequences for each jurisdiction in the United States, and you can use this website to view the collateral consequences of convictions in each jurisdiction.
Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer
When you visit the Texas on the NICCC website, you will view 1,675 possible entries. Many of these entries outline specific terms of ineligibility for certain rights or privileges because of convictions for certain offenses. For example, certain convictions can result in possible loss of firearm ownership rights, driver’s license, or child custody.
One of the primary concerns regarding the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction is how the final plea will impact the alleged offender’s finances. A conviction can prevent a person from obtaining a professional license or even being considered for certain types of employment.
In addition to the collateral consequences mentioned above, individuals convicted of criminal offenses can also be subject to very strict requirements as part of their terms of probation (community control). In some cases, convictions can also lead to enhanced punishments—for underlying offenses as well as future offenses.
If you were arrested for any kind of alleged criminal offense in Travis County, it is in your best interest to say absolutely nothing to authorities until you have first contacted The Law Office of Kevin Bennett. Kevin Bennett is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Austin who defends clients in West Lake Hills, Pflugerville, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Sunset Valley, Lago Vista, and several other nearby areas in Central Texas.
