18 Ways A Criminal Conviction Could Affect Your Life (Other Than Jail or Fine)

If you are convicted of a crime, your sentence from the legal system might include a fine and/or jail time. However, most criminal convictions also have collateral consequences: punishments that aren’t necessarily given through the legal system as part of a sentence. For example, you could lose the ability to work in certain jobs or even operate a motor vehicle. Below are 18 examples to give you a better idea of what those consequences might be. If you want to learn more, the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction is a helpful database that you can search to learn about both state and federal consequences.

1. Employment

Individuals convicted of certain crimes cannot work in settlements, home alarm systems, pharmaceuticals, real estate, mortgages, funeral services, commercial trucking, positions in public office, massage therapy, social work, child care and many more.  

2. Registry Requirements

Crimes involving sex, kidnapping, or white collar crimes such as fraud, dishonesty, misrepresentation or money-laundering may require the person be listed on a registry. Additionally, that information may be publicized through news or other media.

3. Social Media

Anyone convicted of crimes involving sex or digital harassment may be subject to restrictions on social media use.

4. Curfew

For some crimes, including sex crimes, a person may be subject to curfew requirements.

5. Ankle Monitoring

According to United States Probation and Pretrial Services, courts may determine the extent to which people are restricted. Ankle monitor restrictions range from 24-hour lockdown at home to more lenient rules that allow leaving the home of pre approved and scheduled absences like work, school, treatment, church, and attorney appointments.

6. Immigration Status and Deportation

Those convicted of a felony or misdemeanor can be denied resident immigrant status. And in some cases, a conviction may result in deportation.

7. Voting Rights

Those convicted of a felony lose the right to vote while incarcerated, but they can again restore those rights upon release or on parole/probation.

8. Civil and Domestic Consequences

There is the potential for civil actions after a criminal conviction, like restitution. Additionally, a felony conviction is permissible grounds for divorce if a spouse should choose to pursue that.

9. Jury

According to Utah law, A person who has been convicted of a felony which has not been expunged is deemed not competent to serve as a juror.

10. Guns and Hunting

Convictions of crimes involving controlled substances; violence; weapons offenses; fraud, dishonesty, misrepresentation or money-laundering; sex offenses; or public corruption come with a mandatory revocation of weapon rights. This means a person can’t possess a dangerous weapon, ammunition, or even a replica of a weapon.

11. Military Eligibility

Any felony conviction makes a person ineligible for military duty.

12. Housing

For both felony and misdemeanor convictions, a landlord has the right to deny an applicant for housing. Additionally, crimes involving sex may include home location restrictions.

13. Adoption

Conviction of a sex offense comes with a mandatory denial of rights to adopt or foster children

14. Parental Rights

Convictions of certain crimes may result in the termination or limitation of parental rights.

15. Government Benefits

For any felony conviction and many others including child support and fraud, government benefits like food stamps, public assistance, and unemployment are often denied.

16. Presumption of Paraphernalia

Whether an object is used for drugs or not, the general presumption is that any object that could be used for drugs is being used for drugs.

17. Inmate Visitation

A criminal conviction may result in the denial of visitation for an inmate at a corrections facility.

18. Operating a Motor Vehicle

Certain crimes like DUI will result in a suspension or revocation of a driver’s license or other motor vehicle license (including boat license). However, There are also other crimes such as noncustodial interference (kidnapping) or discharge of a weapon from a vehicle that will also result in license suspension or revocation.

These are only a few of the potential collateral consequences you may have to deal with if you are convicted of a crime in Utah. The expert defense lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat have experience navigating these consequences and may be able to help you reduce the effect or duration of such consequences.

Call us today at (801) 532-5297 for a free consultation to discuss your case.