Criminal records in the United States contain records of arrest, criminal charges, and the disposition of those charges. They are compiled and updated on local, state, and federal levels by government agencies, most often law enforcement agencies.
Here are 5 reasons to avoid a criminal record in the U.S.
Employment
A criminal record may make it harder to get a job, many employers perform a background check on potential employees, and they have a right to deny you a job due to your criminal record.
Additionally, if you lie about your criminal record and your employer finds out that you were involved in a criminal act, they have the right to fire you and dismiss all employment benefits. You cannot get a job in teaching, childcare, health care, law enforcement, and retail or government departments in the United States if you have a criminal record.
Child Related Matters
To start with, if you have a criminal record, you cannot be allowed to adopt a child, especially if the crimes are firearm-related or alcohol and substance abuse. Additionally, a criminal record reduces your rights as a parent/guardian regarding child custody, particularly if the charge involved domestic abuse or acts of violence. Child-related matters are one of the main reasons why you need to maintain a clean criminal record in the United States.
Licenses
A criminal record could be a barrier to obtaining several licenses, for example, a driving license. For example, in some states, a criminal record involving alcohol and substance abuse could lead to a 6-month suspension of your driver’s license and a compulsory 15-hour drug education course after the suspension.
A criminal record could also lead to your firearm license being revoked. Many people lose the right to own a personal firearm due to felonies or class A misdemeanors.
Immigration
A criminal record could cause you to lose your citizenship in the United States if you are a foreign national. It might cause you to lose your job in normal circumstances, but in extreme circumstances, you might be deported. A criminal record can also prevent you from becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Subsequent Crimes
An existing criminal record could lead to severe punishment and sentencing if you commit a second crime and it proceeds to conviction.
Common Types of Criminal Records That Could Affect Your Life in the United States
Below are 10 common types of criminal records found on criminal background checks in the United States.
- Driving while intoxicated: This is driving, being in control of, or operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
- Driving while license is suspended: A person who drives while their license is revoked or suspended can face criminal charges. The penalties for this vary by state, but it is usually fines or jail time.
- Theft: This refers to the action or crime of stealing. It is also referred to as larceny.
- Theft by check: This is where an individual obtains goods or services by writing a check from an account that does not exist or an account that does not have enough money to cover the bill.
- Assault of family member: This is a crime that involves the commission of willful acts that cause physical injury to a family member
- Possession of controlled substance: This is owning a drug that has been declared by state or federal law to be illegal for sale or use without a physician’s prescription.
- Possession of marijuana: Marijuana is illegal in some states, and possession is a crime.
- Aggravated assault: Aggravated assault refers to a crime of violence. Most states punish these crimes based on the level of harm inflicted, who the victim was, and whether a weapon was involved.
- Assault causing bodily injury: Assault causing bodily harm is a category under aggravated assault.
- Evading arrest/detention: Fleeing or forcefully resisting an arrest, search, or detention can be charged with evading and resisting arrest.
Conclusion
Theft, aggravated assault, possession of illegal drugs, and driving under the influence, among other crimes, could ruin a lot in your life, including your employability. The US criminal justice system states clear codes of conduct, and you should adhere to them to prevent facing the consequences of violating them. However, if you find yourself on the wrong side of the law and you need bail assistance you can reach out to Riverside bail bonds for bail and bond assistance services.
