For many people, the decision process concerning whether or not to fight a criminal charge boils down to evaluating the penalties they may be subjected to in the event of a conviction. Even those who insist that the police wrongfully arrested them may plead guilty because they don’t want to take the case to trial.
Some people worry about how expensive it can be to fight criminal charges. Others worry about the attention that defending themselves could attract. Some people hope to receive a more lenient sentence because they cooperate with the state instead of fighting the charges.
What these people may have failed to consider is how a criminal record can affect them for years to come. Pleading guilty to a charge can have major implications for a professional’s career development.
A record could be the deciding factor for an employer
It has become commonplace for employers to perform background checks whenever they hire new workers. In fact, they may perform a new background check on a worker who has been with a company for years when that employee seeks advancement opportunities. Some companies have zero-tolerance policies and do not hire or promote those with criminal records. Even if the record doesn’t prevent someone from being eligible, it could still have an influence on the final decision. If two candidates with similar work experience apply for the same position, the candidate without the criminal record may have a slight advantage over the one with a prior record.
Missing work can have a chilling effect
Some people assume that they don’t have to miss much work if they plead guilty. After all, trials take time and typically occur during the business week. However, what people may fail to consider is the obligation to attend meetings during probation or the risk of incarceration. The more work that people miss because of criminal penalties, the more of an impact their absenteeism might have on their career prospects. Employers tend to judge those who are not consistently available or who miss multiple days of work in a short time. Even if workers don’t lose their jobs outright, they may have a harder time securing advancement opportunities or raises in the future.
A conviction can cost someone their professional license
Numerous different careers require a state license. Medicine, accounting and even cosmetic careers require formal education and licenses provided by state authorities. Those authorities generally have codes of conduct that apply to all license holders. A variety of different criminal convictions can impact eligibility for professional licensing. In some cases, those who plead guilty to a crime may face immediate disciplinary action. Other times, they may be at risk of rejection when they seek to renew their license in a few years.
Fighting pending criminal charges can potentially help people preserve their freedom and their professional opportunities. Those who understand how a conviction could affect their future may find the motivation they need to fight their pending charges.