If you are convicted of a crime in Mississippi, you may spend time in jail or prison. You may also have to pay a fine, do community service or be put on probation. Of course, the punishment doesn’t necessarily end after you complete your sentence. This is because the presence of a criminal conviction may make it harder to get an apartment, find a job or finish your education.
Finding housing after incarceration
Landlords don’t necessarily have to rent to people who have criminal records. This may be true regardless of your conviction and how long ago the crime was committed. It may also be harder to find housing if you are prohibited from living close to schools, churches or other locations. If you want to buy a home, the lack of income and credit score will make it difficult to secure a mortgage.
Finding work after a conviction
Obtaining a job may be difficult after a conviction for several different reasons. If you were convicted of DUI, you may lose your driving privileges, which limits your ability to get to work on time or perhaps even perform vital tasks while on the job. Employers may also decide to pass on someone with a criminal conviction as it may increase the risk of criminal activity within the workplace.
Why your degree may be in danger
An inability to get a college degree may be a compelling factor when determining your criminal defense strategy. Those convicted of a crime may be ineligible for federal aid that many rely on to pay for their education. Furthermore, you may feel it isn’t worth getting an advanced degree as you may be barred from working in certain fields.
A criminal record may cause interruptions to your life even if you don’t spend a day in jail. Ideally, you will consider these potential issues before accepting a plea deal or taking other steps that may result in anything other than a full acquittal.