According to a report by the Center for American Progress, one in three adults has a history of crime. It means that almost half of the children in the United States have at least one parent or guardian with a criminal record. By now, you know you don’t need to grace the cold floor of a jail cell to be charged with a crime that permanently goes on your record.
Even a criminal record from a misdemeanor could rattle the basic building blocks of financial and economic security that will also affect your loved ones. Here are some ways a criminal conviction and a record can negatively affect your family.
Debt
There are numerous costs and expenses your family will incur during legal proceedings. These expenses include the cost of hiring a lawyer or public defender, pay-to-stay fees, costs incurred during the investigation, things like GPS ankle bracelets, and more. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights reported that 85% of citizens released from jail incurred hefty criminal-justice debt. By the time your family is done paying all these fees, they might have little to nothing left.
Housing Instability
Most landlords and property managers are known to avoid potential tenants who have a history of crime. A study by the Ella Baker Center reveals that 79% of ex-cons who have re-integrated into society have difficulty finding homes to lease and rent with a criminal record. If you are the breadwinner in charge of finding a suitable home, your family might have to move often. As a result, your loved one’s quality of life and even education will be severely disrupted, not to mention the emotional turmoil of being the new kid every now and then.
Inability To Adopt A Child
Imagine a scenario where you have been trying for a baby without luck. The alternative would be to adopt a child and give them a loving home to grow. However, a criminal record can be a massive barrier. There is a high chance the judge will use your history of crime against you in a family court. You could to a lawyer to help fight for your rights and start the process of obtaining documents of pardon. Once you have demonstrated to the court that you have reformed and heeded your lawyer’s advice, you might be granted permission to foster a child.
Barriers To Education
A staggering 66% of colleges and institutions of higher learning conduct background checks on prospective students before they grant them admission. Your family might feel devastated because they can’t find a credible university to admit you. The effects on your family become even more devastating if your family lies in the low-income bracket or people of color. If you are a parent or guardian, your lack of a post-secondary education might limit your earning potential, forcing your family to continue living in poverty.
Diminished Job Prospects
A criminal record could hinder you from attaining stable employment because employers are wary about hiring ex-convicts. According to a criminal defense lawyer, most people who have been incarcerated tend to struggle for jobs after release. Without a steady stream of income, your family will struggle to obtain basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and education. Lack of employment also prevents you from saving for your family’s future and investing in assets you could leave for your children once you are no more.
Challenges With Transportation
If you were caught driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, you would be charged with a DWI and DUI, respectively. The law also stipulates that your license be suspended for a period deemed fit. Even if you secure a job, you won’t be able to drive yourself to and from work. Your loss of driving privileges also strains the family because you can’t drop the kids off at school or pick them up after class. In addition, you will have to rely on others to ferry you around till you get your license back.
Wrapping Up
Our family members are among the first people we interact with when we are born and carry us through the good and bad times. However, a criminal record can strain familial ties and make life harder for the household members, especially if the one holding the record is a breadwinner.
Children, in particular, end up suffering a massive blow when parents cannot provide or are sent off to jail, leaving them in the care of a single parent or relative. If you have been charged with a crime, it is vital to do your best to avoid a conviction. Seek help from a good criminal lawyer to help you avoid a conviction that could end up affecting you and your loved ones for a long time.
Additionals:
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- How to Carry a Toddler? Best Advice by Expert in 2022
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