Collateral Consequences Of A Criminal Conviction
Many people who are charged with a crime feel fortunate if they are able to plead guilty to a misdemeanor offense that results in no jail time. However, there are collateral consequences when you plead guilty to any crime, not the least of which is: For the rest of your life, the answer to the question, “Have you been convicted of a crime?” will always be “Yes.” Other consequences can include:
- Job loss
- Loss of driver’s license
- Loss of commercial driver’s license
- Loss of professional license
- Loss of liquor license
- Deportation
- Loss of eligibility for student loans
- Inclusion in New York’s sex offender registry
- Asset and/or vehicle forfeiture
Pleading guilty to any misdemeanor or felony offense will result in a permanent criminal record. This record can be seen by anyone who conducts a background check such as employers, landlords, banks, insurance companies, licensing boards and others. Since a criminal record lasts forever, you should never plead guilty to any crime without advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Certificate Of Relief From Disabilities
If you have been convicted of certain crimes in New York, our lawyers can help you obtain a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities. Obtaining this certificate will enable you to apply for certain city jobs and licenses that you otherwise wouldn’t be eligible for with a criminal record.
The Certificate of Relief from Disabilities is an order from the court to the government instructing them not to hold the conviction against you. While private employers are not bound by the order, it does work in your favor.
Avoid A Criminal Conviction
At The Law Firm of Michael S. Berardino, formerly Mangialardi & Berardino, our goal is to resolve your criminal charges in a way that will not result in a criminal record or the forfeiture of your vehicle. For first-time offenders who are charged with misdemeanor offenses, such as shoplifting, I am often able to do this if you retain us early enough. If I am not able to negotiate a successful outcome, I will use every legal tool at our disposal to help you obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
If you have been charged with a crime in the New York City area, contact The Law Firm of Michael S. Berardino, formerly Mangialardi & Berardino, as soon as possible locally at 914-618-4167, or toll free at 877-776-5584.
