How Can Having a Criminal Record in New Jersey Affect my Future?

Individuals who receive a criminal charge in the state of New Jersey can face various consequences as a result of their actions. Sometimes, the consequences can be immediate, such as fines or jail time. However, others can impact a person and their reputation for the rest of their life. Those facing criminal charges should retain the services of an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney in order to protect their future.

What are the Long Term Effects of a Criminal Record?

When a person receives a criminal record, it can affect their life in many ways. This can include the following:

• Their ability to get and keep a job. Having a criminal record can limit the types of jobs a person can get. This is because they have to check “yes” when an application asks if they have ever been convicted of a crime. This usually flags an application. Employers also conduct background checks in many cases. If an applicant lies by checking “no,” they can be disqualified from the job. and if they catch you in a lie, you can count on being disqualified from the job. In addition, individuals convicted of a crime can get fired from their current job.
• Criminal convictions can impact child custody arrangements. For example, the court and a former spouse may use a criminal record against them to prove they are an unfit parent or a danger to their child. 
• A criminal record can affect a person’s immigration status, as foreign nationals with a criminal record can be deported or prevented from becoming a citizen.
• If a person commits a crime for a second time or more, the penalties can worsen significantly. For example, those who have more than one DWI conviction within a certain amount of time can face harsher penalties as a result.

Can my Criminal Record be Erased?

People convicted in New Jersey may be able to have their criminal records expunged. This clears their record to allow them a clean slate. The state’s new expungement laws enacted in 2018 made the following changes:

• Speeding up certain expungements
• Increased the number of convictions that may be expunged from a record (now up to 4 offenses)
• Shortened the waiting period to expunge a record (now 6 years)

Individuals who want to expunge their records have to meet certain criteria. New Jersey only allows people to expunge certain crimes from their records. Crimes such as murder, robbery, kidnapping, arson, sexual assault, distribution/possession of controlled substances, or perjury cannot be expunged. 

Contact our Firm

Kevin T. Conway is an experienced Bergen County criminal attorney handling DUI, DWI, traffic violations, violent crimes, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, shoplifting, and juvenile crimes. Attorney Conway is also experienced in commercial law matters, zoning law, and estate planning. If you need an aggressive criminal lawyer, contact The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway for a free consultation.