A criminal conviction can drastically impact every area of your life. If you have been accused of a crime, it’s crucial to have a strong defense team to protect your rights and reputation. The criminal law attorneys at Titus Hillis have extensive experience in both prosecuting and defending cases. We are here to help you understand the far-reaching consequences of criminal convictions and navigate the complexities of the legal system with confidence and hope.
Understanding the Collateral Consequences
When people think about criminal convictions, they often focus on immediate penalties like jail time, fines, or probation. However, many other consequences can affect your life long after you’ve served your sentence. These are known as the collateral consequences of criminal convictions and are additional legal penalties and disadvantages that come as a result of having a criminal record.
Common Types of Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions
There are various collateral consequences, and they differ depending on the nature of the crime and the laws in your state. Some of the common types are:
- Employment Restrictions
- Many employers require background checks and may hesitate to hire someone with a criminal record. Certain jobs, especially those in healthcare, education, or law enforcement, may be entirely off-limits.
- Housing Difficulties
- Finding a place to live can be difficult with a criminal conviction. Many landlords conduct background checks and could refuse to rent to someone with a criminal record.
Public housing is often unavailable to individuals with certain types of convictions.
- Loss of Voting Rights
- In many states, people with felony convictions lose their right to vote. Some states restore voting rights after sentence completion, while others may have a more complicated process.
- Ineligibility for Government Benefits
- A criminal conviction can disqualify you from receiving certain government benefits.
For example, drug convictions can make you ineligible for federal student loans, food stamps, and public housing.
- Restrictions on Firearm Ownership
- If you have a felony conviction, you could lose your right to own or possess firearms.
This can also apply to some misdemeanor convictions involving domestic violence.
- Impact on Immigration Status
- For non-citizens, a criminal conviction can have severe consequences, including deportation or citizenship denial. Certain offenses can also restrict your ability to travel to the United States.
- Professional Licenses
- Many professions require a license, and a criminal conviction can make it difficult or impossible to obtain or renew such licenses. This includes professions like law, medicine, real estate, and more.
- Family Law Issues
- A criminal conviction can impact family law matters, such as child custody and visitation rights. Courts may scrutinize your criminal record when making decisions about what is in the best interest of the child.
Why You Need a Criminal Defense Team
With so much on the line, it’s imperative to have an adept and seasoned criminal defense attorney by your side. The attorneys at Titus Hillis are dedicated to protecting your rights and helping you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
How We Can Help With Your Criminal Case
At Titus Hillis, we understand that being charged with a crime can be overwhelming. Your freedom, public standing, and future are at stake. Our skilled attorneys represent clients in municipal, state, tribal, and federal courts for a wide range of criminal matters, such as:
- Violent crimes
- Murder, manslaughter, and homicide
- DWI and DUI
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Property crime
- Drug offenses
- Vandalism
- Robbery
- White collar crimes
- Domestic violence
- Theft crimes
Every case we handle is closely examined to determine the best course of legal defense.
By applying our immense knowledge of the criminal justice system and its intricacies, we work tirelessly to ensure you have compassionate and thorough representation every step of the way.
Building Your Defense
If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor or felony, it's important to understand that a criminal accusation is serious and can have life-changing consequences. Depending on the charges, you could face significant jail time, fines, parole, and damage to your reputation. A criminal record can make it difficult to find a job or housing, and a felony conviction can strip you of certain civil rights, such as owning a firearm or serving on a jury.
Our attorneys will thoroughly evaluate the facts of your case to develop a strong defense strategy. Some common defenses we use include:
- Insufficient Evidence: Challenging the prosecution’s evidence to demonstrate they cannot meet the burden of proof.
- Mistaken Identity: Arguing that you were wrongly identified as the perpetrator.
- Self-Defense: Asserting that any violence you used was justified as self-defense.
- Entrapment: Showing that you were induced by law enforcement into committing a crime you otherwise would not have committed.
- Constitutional Violations: If your rights were violated during the investigation or arrest, we can seek to suppress all evidence that was obtained unlawfully.
The Importance of Transparency
Transparency of information is vital when facing criminal charges. At Titus Hillis, we know that understanding the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction is crucial for anyone accused of a crime. Knowing everything at stake can help you make informed decisions about your case and allow you to build an attorney-client relationship founded on trust and mutual understanding.
Contact the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Titus Hillis
If you or someone you know has been accused of a crime, it’s necessary to have a knowledgeable criminal defense team to safeguard your rights and ensure the best possible outcome. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, our criminal attorneys work with clients from all backgrounds and appear in the state, tribal, and federal courts throughout the country. For more information or to schedule a consultation,
contact Titus Hillis today.
