New Jersey Criminal Lawyers Blog
It is to be expected that a person convicted of a crime will be sentenced to time in jail or prison, which may be followed by a period of parole or another form of community supervision. The convicted individual may also be ordered to pay certain financial penalties in the form of fines, court fees and/or restitution to the victims of the crime or their families. Oftentimes, however, the penalties for committing a crime don’t stop there.
Criminal convictions carry a number of collateral consequences that can significantly impact an individual’s life long after their sentence is completed. These collateral consequences are wide-ranging and can affect an individual’s efforts at rehabilitation and re-entry into society.
Criminal convictions become a part of an individual’s public record. That record is accessible by anyone, including potential employers, landlords, and others. As a result, a criminal conviction can restrict the individual’s ability to obtain employment or secure housing. Depending on the type of crime an individual is convicted of, they may also be required to register with the sex offender registry and/or parole supervision for life.