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Criminal charges can stick with you and impact your life – even when the alleged offense is minor. A fast guilty plea may seem like the easiest way to get things over with, but the consequences can echo for decades. From denied job applications and lost housing opportunities to family court decisions, a single charge can have a ripple effect in ways you aren’t prepared for.
To protect your freedom and future opportunities, it’s essential to fight criminal charges with the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney.
Criminal records cast long shadows
A conviction (and sometimes arrest records) can show up in a background check and limit your options for housing, jobs, and student loans. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards often run background checks that reveal more than you think.
Around 93% of all organizations conduct some type of background screening, which can include a background check that reveals an applicant’s criminal history. In some industries like healthcare, government jobs, finance, and commercial driving, a conviction is an automatic disqualifier.
Although most states have made it illegal for landlords to discriminate against applicants for having a criminal record, it happens frequently. Landlords can only reject tenants for a criminal conviction if the offense poses a threat to safety, but many landlords blanket-ban all tenants with a criminal record.
Plea deals can backfire without a lawyer
The prosecution isn’t on your side no matter how good you think their plea offer is. They might offer you a deal that looks good at that moment, but you could end up with unforeseen consequences. For example, agreeing to a short probation term might seem easier than going to trial, but that will require pleading guilty, and that record will stay with you forever. A criminal defense attorney will know if your case is strong enough to stand trial.
If you accept a plea deal without a lawyer’s input just to get closure, thinking you can get your record sealed or expunged, the reality will likely be much harsher. Depending on the conviction and state law, access to these options might be limited. Studies show that defendants with legal counsel secure better case outcomes, including reduced charges and alternative sentences, compared to those who accept a fast plea offer.
Fighting charges forces the prosecution to make their case
If you plead guilty right away, you’re handing the prosecution an easy win. They won’t need to make their case or present any evidence against you. They won’t need to call witnesses, either. They’ll just mark your case as a conviction and move on. A strong defense can change your case outcome.
The justice system in the U.S. is built on the principle that the government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. By contesting your criminal charges, you force the prosecution to do the work. And you might be surprised at how things turn out. For example, a good lawyer can get evidence suppressed if it was collected illegally and may even be able to get your case dismissed if your rights were violated. Cases are routinely dismissed on the basis of prosecutorial misconduct and errors, insufficient evidence, and procedural issues.
You can’t know the strength of the prosecution’s case without an attorney. If you just roll over and plead guilty, you might be forfeiting your best case outcome. Even if your case doesn’t get dismissed, when prosecutors know a defendant is going to fight their charges, they’re more likely to offer a plea deal, diversion options, or other favorable resolutions.
Criminal charges can affect your family
The consequences of a conviction can extend beyond your own life. It can impact your kids, spouse or partner, and even your extended family. For instance, courts weigh criminal records heavily when determining custody and visitation rights. Certain convictions can either force you into supervised visits or outright bar you from seeing your child.
A conviction can also cause you to lose your job and incur hefty fines, which can negatively impact your family’s finances. Unpaid fines can snowball into debt fast. And unfortunately, studies have shown that children of incarcerated parents face higher risks of poverty, mental health struggles, and being incarcerated themselves. Fighting your charges protects your family, too.
Your future is worth fighting for
Choosing to fight criminal charges may feel daunting, but the cost of not fighting is steep. Don’t risk limited employment and housing opportunities, family strain, and a lost reputation you can’t recover.
Secure your future by fighting for your rights from day one, securing a good criminal defense lawyer, and refusing to accept easy shortcuts.
