Being convicted of a crime in Ohio comes with many consequences. You likely know some of them, such as time in jail, significant fines and mandatory community service (in some cases).
However, it can also impact other parts of your life, including your voting rights, gun ownership rights and child custody. You may not realize that this conviction can also impact your job and career – both now and in the future.
Understanding how a criminal conviction may impact your job and career can help you see why having a strong defense is so important.
You may lose your professional license
You may have received a license if you work as a nurse, lawyer, or doctor (along with other professions). If you are convicted of a crime, this license may be revoked. While you may be able to restore it later, this is not always possible.
You may be fired from your current job
If you are convicted of a white-collar crime, like fraud or embezzlement, you can be fired from your current job. Even if your employer doesn’t have a set policy regarding criminal convictions, they may still choose to fire you since Ohio is an at-will employment state.
Finding a new job may be challenging
Even if the crime you are convicted of has nothing to do with the job you are trying to get, you may still find it difficult to secure employment. Some employers run background checks, and if they discover you have a criminal history, you may be passed over for a candidate with no criminal history.
Protecting your rights after a criminal conviction
Even if you are convicted of a crime, you have legal rights. Some employers will hire you and help you get back on your feet. It is smart to learn about your legal rights and build a strong defense when charged with a crime to avoid the consequences mentioned here.