If you commit a felony offense, many states say you can’t be trusted to help choose leaders in this country. The line of reasoning used to enact felon disenfranchisement laws had to have been based in a feeling that felons could somehow turn the free world on its head if they were allowed to vote, or so it would seem. But some would argue the reasons were far more sinister. [Read more…]
Criminal Record Check Company Fined For Inaccurate Information
When you have a criminal record, it can make things like getting a job difficult. But when the company providing criminal background checks isn’t ensuring accuracy, sends over someone else’s records, or simply doesn’t care about the quality of their work, your future can be severely impacted by something that is completely unfair and out of your control. [Read more…]
How Much Can Potential Employers Ask About You?
NPR ran a story last week by the same title, discussing what exactly employers have a right to know when they are thinking about hiring you. More and more are conducting criminal background checks, but some are also checking credit reports and even social networking habits. Just how far can they go and how can a criminal conviction affect your ability to get a job? [Read more…]
Criminal Record Impacts in the News
There have been a lot of stories in the news this week about the impact of a criminal conviction on a person’s livelihood, ability to find a job, an apartment, and generally function in society. And most of it is not encouraging. The fact remains that the best way to try to prevent the negative impact a criminal record can have on your life is before you are convicted.
Of course not all cases can be won, but many people don’t even try. Accepting a plea without seriously evaluating the chance you can beat the charges can be a huge mistake. While working out a plea deal may be the right decision in many cases, skipping that process just because you don’t think you can afford a lawyer may be a shortsighted decision you will regret later.
Here are a few examples: [Read more…]
