Have you been charged with a federal crime in Chicago? Understanding how the federal charge can affect your life if you are convicted is essential. Even if the federal charge is dropped or you are found not guilty, that does not mean the charge is not on your permanent record.
In any event, it is critical to take legal action immediately if you are charged with a federal crime in Chicago. The Law Offices of Vadim A. Glozman have experienced Chicago federal criminal defense attorneys who can help.
Having a federal criminal charge on your permanent record is a huge problem. Even if you are acquitted, it may hamper your ability to find decent employment anywhere. Without a good job, it won’t be easy to maintain your previous salary and living standards.
Remember that prospective employers can look into your criminal record with a criminal background check. However, they may not employ you when they see you were charged with a federal crime.
The employer also may ask you face-to-face if you ever were charged with a crime, which includes felonies and misdemeanors. Again, you are required to tell the truth. However, you do not have to tell them about an arrest that did not result in a conviction and was expunged from your record.
If you are not a citizen of the United States, a federal conviction can prevent you from getting a green card. You also may need help to become a US citizen. In the worst case, you could even be deported to your home country. Imagine having your whole life in front of you in the United States, but you cannot remain because of a felony conviction.
A federal criminal record also will present challenges in your personal life. This is especially true if you are experiencing a divorce and fighting for your children. How it affects child custody questions depends on how serious the crime was, how long ago, and whether the conviction indicates you are a danger to the child.
Also, there can be parts of your criminal record that affect the well-being of your offspring. For example, financial difficulties could hurt in a child custody dispute if you have difficulty keeping a decent job because of your criminal record. Also, if your record indicates a safety risk, you could lose custody. You may even need to have supervised visitation of your children, which is a hassle and expense.
Many people with federal criminal convictions are not allowed to drive, but this depends on how severe the offense is. In many states, a conviction can lead to a year or more suspended license. Many Chicagoans will find it challenging to work and take care of their daily affairs when they cannot drive.
Many colleges and universities do background checks on every applicant. If they see a federal criminal charge or conviction, they may decide you are not a good candidate for their institution.
Also, college student loan providers such as FAFSA may do a background check on you. This can prevent you from getting student loans, which affects your employment outlook. While this practice is often criticized, many colleges still require applicants to disclose criminal violations.
If you are a convicted felon, you will have significant problems in your career, especially if you need a certification or license to do business. For example, these professions usually bar people with felony convictions:
If you need to pass a test and keep a license for your job, you could have difficulty continuing your career with a felony conviction. Also, truckers cannot usually keep their CDLs if they have a serious criminal record.
Even if you are not convicted for the federal charge, you could have mental health and physical issues after you deal with the Illinois criminal justice system. A recent study found that convicted criminals feel more stress and depression when they deal with the criminal justice system. This can occur either during the arrest process or parole.
Stress from dealing with the situation can affect your long-term health. For example, many people convicted of crimes have high blood pressure, more odds of a stroke, and even early death.
With a federal felony conviction, you will not be able to exercise many rights Americans take for granted. Some of these affected rights will probably include:
Many Illinois and federal protections exist for prospective renters who want a rental apartment or house. But these do not usually apply if you have a criminal record. For example, a landlord could turn you away if you have a criminal history. The reason is that property owners are concerned about the property being damaged or the neighbors’ safety.
Even if you get a federal criminal charge expunged from your record, there is little you can do to improve your reputation. Old friends, neighbors, and even members of your family may look at you differently. The reputational damage can last for years, even if you do many positive things in your life.
Being charged and convicted for a federal crime can ruin your life. You could receive years in a distant federal prison. Also, your record will be marred for life by a felon conviction. Getting a job, mortgage, student loan, traveling overseas, and much more will be difficult. That is why you must hire an aggressive, experienced Chicago federal criminal defense attorney today.
The Law Offices of Vadim Glozman represent people accused of federal crimes in Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Oak Brook, and Palatine. Our attorneys will work hard to fight the federal charge and protect your rights. Contact our Chicago federal criminal defense attorneys at (312) 726-9015.