People who are facing a felony conviction often wonder what type of sentence they’ll face. They often focus on things the court will impose, such as incarceration or probation. What they may not realize is that there are other things that they may have to deal with.
Collateral consequences are penalties that aren’t part of the formal sentence. These can impact nearly every area of a person’s life. Understanding these consequences is critical for anyone in this position.
Loss of civil rights and public benefits
Many felony convictions can lead to the loss of certain rights and benefits. These vary but can include the right to vote, serve on a jury or possess a firearm. In some cases, it’s possible for the person to have these rights restored, but this often takes a formal process to make it happen.
Felony convictions can lead to a disqualification of certain public benefits. This is especially true for convictions that are related to drugs. People may be barred from housing or food assistance.
Barriers to employment, housing and licensing
Felony convictions can lead to trouble finding employment, housing or licensing. Many employers and landlords will run background checks. In some cases, it may be impossible to get a proper license for people who have positions in healthcare, education, finance and other regulated industries—even years after a sentence is completed.
Collateral consequences are only one factor the defendants should consider as they’re trying to formulate their defense strategy. Working with someone who’s familiar with these matters may be beneficial for defendants.