Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions

It doesn’t take a genius to know that if you are convicted of a crime, or plead to having committed a crime, you’ll be punished with jail or prison time, probation, fines, or some combination of the above. However, there’s more to crime and punishment than just that, and if you’re not careful, you can find yourself suffering from the collateral consequences of your punishment without realizing it.

“Collateral consequences” refers to the collection of legal consequences a person can face as a result of a criminal conviction (legally, there is no distinction between a crime you were convicted of at trial, versus a crime you plead to as part of a plea deal). Depending on the severity or type of crimes you were convicted of, you can potentially lose access to certain social services or federal programs, lose access to licenses or permits (or be denied the right to apply for those licenses or permits), or be denied jobs based on your criminal history. If you were convicted of a DUI or DWI, for example, you may very well lose your driver’s license, or be forced to drive in a vehicle with an ignition interlock system that will prevent you from driving unless you blow into a breathalyzer installed into your car.

These collateral consequences can be especially harsh for non-naturalized immigrants, who may also face the revocation of their immigration status and face deportation if they are convicted of a crime. An immigrant convicted of so-called “crimes of moral turpitude” can lose their visa, or even their permanent residency status, meaning they may be deported once they’ve served their sentence. Moreover, they are unlikely to be readmitted once they’ve been convicted of one of these crimes.

These collateral consequences are a big part of the reason that you’ll need strong legal representation if you’re ever put under arrest. A New York criminal defense lawyer, who is experienced in handling criminal cases of all sorts, can advise you of your legal rights and will fight for your best interests in court. If you or your loved one has been arrested, contact the Suffolk County criminal defense attorneys at McGuire, Peláez and Bennett at (631) 348-1702.