When people think about the consequences of gun crimes or other criminal charges, a prison sentence is usually the first punishment that comes to mind. If you’ve never interacted with the criminal justice system, you might not realize that convictions can impact every aspect of your life.
Don’t leave your defense up to chance. If you’ve been accused of firearm-related offenses, a knowledgeable gun crimes lawyer in Las Vegas can help you avoid or minimize the consequences of a conviction.
Career Consequences
Gun-related convictions often result in significant career consequences. Convictions involving a deadly weapon or illegal weapons make it harder to pass a background check, especially if you’re in the healthcare, financial, or legal professions. Weapons offenses could also disqualify you from positions that involve security, vulnerable populations, essential infrastructure, and sensitive information.
Similarly, if you have any professional licenses, they could be revoked. Medical, educational, and legal licenses are all subject to revocation if you’re convicted. In some cases, you may be able to appeal, but keeping your license isn’t guaranteed.
Housing and Financial Implications
Gun charge convictions can also make it difficult to find housing. Landlords perform background checks to ensure potential tenants are a “good” risk. A weapons conviction on your record may be a red flag for future landlords.
There are also financial implications for convicted felons. Many people don’t realize that in addition to jail or prison time, most criminal conviction penalties include fines. Depending on the severity of the conviction, you could be required to pay thousands of dollars.
Even misdemeanors can affect you financially. If you’re sentenced to jail time, you may lose income while incarcerated. Worse, you may not have a job when you’re released—and it will be harder to get another.
Social and Personal Impact
Convictions often harm your social and personal life. Anyone serving time in a Nevada prison cannot vote until they’re released. Additionally, the social stigma associated with convictions can lead to strained relationships or isolation from friends and family.
Education and Future Opportunities
If you plan to attend a university, beware: some colleges and educational institutions will deny admission to anyone with a criminal record. This can also make it difficult to get financial aid in situations where it does not bar you from admission. While you may still be admitted to school and find grants or scholarships, a conviction adds another layer of difficulty.
Immigration Status
Finally, a weapons conviction or violent crime charge can seriously affect your immigration status. Any criminal conviction is grounds for deportation if you’re undocumented. Legal aliens who commit deportable crimes may be required to leave the country, pay the applicable fines, and serve a jail or prison sentence.
Contact a Las Vegas Gun Crimes Lawyer for Help
Gun charge convictions have far-reaching negative effects. If you’re facing weapons charges, you need a skilled firearm crimes lawyer. The criminal defense attorneys at Adras & Altig are committed to getting the best outcome for you. When you work with us, we’ll leverage our extensive knowledge and resources to create a strategic defense. We believe you deserve quality legal representation and hope for the future. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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At Adras & Altig, we believe that every client we work with deserves a fresh start. Our dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys take the time to get to know you so we can understand the circumstances surrounding your arrest.