It can be difficult for anyone to gain employment in these turbulent economic times. But it’s particularly challenging for someone with a criminal record to do so.
Your past criminal history follows you unless you receive a pardon or an expungement of your records. Otherwise, you bear the burden of past indiscretions for the rest of your life. This is something to keep in mind as you move forward defending yourself against the charges you face.
How common is it to have a criminal record in the U.S.?
Data compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) captures how at least 77 million Americans, a number that equates to 33% of the U.S. population, have criminal records. That same data also shows that prisons release an additional 600,000 individuals with criminal records back into the community each year.
Statistics have proven that Blacks are more than twice as likely to face arrest than their White counterparts. Blacks are also nearly 12 times more likely to already be in prison than Whites by the time they reach their late teens.
How often does a person’s criminal record impact their job options?
NCSL’s statistics show that at least 1.7 million Americans are jobless due to the felony conviction on their records. This sobering statistic gives way to a high recidivism rate.
The National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction (NICCC) has a listing of more than 15,000 state and federal statutes and codes that capture how criminal convictions restrict individuals from securing occupational licenses and employment.
Occupational license requirements vary by state and the type of profession a person seeks.
Minimizing your chance of becoming a statistic
There are many collateral consequences associated with a judge or jury convicting you of a crime. Crafting a solid defense to the charges you face is key to minimizing the obstacles that you’ll need to overcome in the future should you become a felon.
