People who live in the greater Lansing area or who attend school here may face what is seemingly a minor first-time criminal charge like drug possession, theft in a small amount, an OWI or an assault case.
Especially since people with no history often get deals that save them from jail and the stiffest fines, they may want to put the experience behind them quickly by pleading guilty.
Before doing, this, however, Michigan residents should understand that there are many collateral consequences to a criminal conviction. The fallout from these professional and personal consequences can last years after a person closes out their criminal case.
Many of these consequences may seem like ongoing additional punishments:
- Even one criminal conviction can hurt a person’s chances of pursuing a career in certain fields. To give just one example, even 1 OWI in a private vehicle can make it practically impossible for a commercial driver to continue to earn their living.
- For drug-related offenses, students can lose their federal aid.
- Criminal convictions can lead to issues with one’s housing. On a related point, someone on probation or under a protective order after a criminal case may not be able to stay in their residence.
- In some situations, even one criminal conviction is grounds for the deportation of a person who is not a citizen of the United States.
- A Michigan parent convicted of a crime related to domestic violence or a crime involving children may have a hard time securing or keeping custody. They may even wind up with restricted visitation.
Anyone charged with a crime should evaluate their options carefully
Even if it seems like jail is off the table, the fallout from even one misdemeanor criminal conviction can be serious and long-lasting. A person accused of a crime should make sure they understand all the legal options before agreeing to a guilty plea.