In this article, you can discover…
- What you can do to mitigate the future career consequences of charges.
- How to protect your current job if you’re facing criminal charges.
- How expunging a conviction can improve your job prospects.
How Does A Criminal Conviction Impact Your Career Or Academic Opportunities In California?
The impact of a criminal conviction on your career or academic opportunities in California varies depending on the type of conviction, the license you hold, and your specific circumstances.
Certain charges, such as crimes of violence, crimes involving moral turpitude (like dishonesty), and sex-related offenses, can significantly affect your professional life. These convictions can also hinder your ability to join the military or gain admission to many schools and colleges.
Are There Any Legal Protections For Employees Who Are Facing Job Loss Due To A Criminal Conviction In California?
If you have lost your job due to a conviction for a type of crime not related to your field of work and not a serious crime of violence, dishonesty, or a sex-based crime, an attorney may argue that your job loss after a conviction was an unlawful termination.
Other types of convictions, such as drug-related offenses or DUIs, can also impact your career. I’ve seen attorneys lose their jobs after a number of alcohol and drug-related convictions. In some cases, completing rehabilitation can open doors that were once closed and allow you to return to your chosen field.
What Steps Can You Take To Explain Your Criminal Charge Or Conviction To A Potential Employer In A Way That Demonstrates Accountability And Growth?
Getting into rehabilitation, treatment, therapy, or other classes and letting your employer know can be a good way to demonstrate accountability and growth.
Some white-collar professionals may find that they can re-enter their field only after completing rehabilitation and attaining sobriety.
For many working and middle-class workers, honesty with one’s employer, disclosing past or current charges, and communicating your ongoing efforts to seek help and better yourself can go a long way in helping you get and keep a job.
Attorney Matthew Cargal is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer serving California. For 25 years, he’s helped clients just like you navigate their professional lives after a charge, get the help they need, and even expunge their records.
Have questions about the impacts of a criminal charge on your career or education? Reach out to The Law Offices of Matthew Cargal at (626) 648-5004 today.
How Can An Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney Help Mitigate The Consequences Of A Criminal Conviction In California?
The most effective way for your attorney to help you is by being fully honest with them. Your attorney will ask about your profession and will help you understand how a conviction could impact your career or education.
Certain professions, such as law enforcement, have strict requirements, such as not allowing you to be on probation for any offense. This is a fixed rule that your attorney cannot change. In such cases, your best chance of keeping your job may be to go to trial in hopes of having all charges dropped.
The most helpful thing you can do is to share everything you can about your situation with your attorney. The more information they have about your background, career, educational goals, and workplace, the better they can assist you.
What Are The Long-Term Strategies For Rebuilding Your Career After A Criminal Conviction In California?
Doctors and attorneys may find a path back to their fields after completing rehabilitation following a drug or alcohol offense. While criminal convictions remain on your record and are visible, treatment can help you start over and work your way forward after a conviction.
The extent of rehabilitation required often depends on your profession and specific circumstances. For some, a single drug treatment program may be sufficient. The impact on your career will vary based on your level of responsibility and the field in which you worked.
Some individuals may find it easier to transition into a new line of work, while others are able to return to their previous profession. In both cases, maintaining sobriety, participating in treatment and therapy, and demonstrating responsibility can play a significant role in rebuilding your career or preparing for a new one.
Can Expunging A Criminal Conviction Improve Your Job Prospects?
Expungement in California does not completely remove a conviction. If someone conducts a background check through the Department of Justice, the conviction will still be visible, even if it has been expunged. The report will show the original conviction with a notation indicating “case dismissed per this code section,” along with the expungement code.
However, expungement can still be advantageous in many situations. For instance, if someone performs a basic background check, the conviction may not appear, allowing you to legally state, “I was never convicted” in certain contexts. This means you may not need to disclose the conviction on some job applications.
That said, if a job application specifically asks for a list of convictions, including those that have been expunged, you will need to include the expunged conviction. Nevertheless, pursuing expungement is worthwhile, as it signals to potential employers that you are taking steps to move forward and clear your record.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
If you have been charged and are concerned about your job, it is crucial to hire a highly knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, especially one with experience handling work-related issues .The right attorney will have a deep understanding of professional fields, the law, and effective defenses and will help you get the support you need to rehabilitate and move forward after charges.
For more information on How To Mitigate Professional Consequences After A Criminal Charge In California, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (626) 648-5004 today.
Attorney Matthew Cargal is a seasoned criminal defense lawyer serving California. For 25 years, he’s helped clients just like you navigate their professional lives after a charge, get the help they need, and even expunge their records.
Have questions about the impacts of a criminal charge on your career or education? Reach out to The Law Offices of Matthew Cargal at (626) 648-5004 today.
