Criminal records in America are a large part of society and can heavily affect our lives. Without prior knowledge of our society’s laws, the criminal justice system can be confusing and could have more severe consequences without basic knowledge of how it works. One in three Americans has a criminal record ranging from small offenses to severe felonies. Committing a crime can lead to a warning, a fine, community service hours, a court case, restitution payments, and/or a prison sentence. Additionally, about 40% of nonviolent offenders who were imprisoned commit the same crime again. This statistic is even higher for robberies. But the actual sentence is only part of the punishment an offender faces.

Having a criminal record affects a person’s ability to live a productive life. Some employers require mandatory criminal background checks, which can make it difficult to acquire a new job. It can also prevent one from possessing or purchasing a firearm. People with a history of crime will struggle to adopt a child, and they could lose certain licensing, including their driver’s license. Additionally, having a criminal record can prevent someone from being able to get a mortgage or a loan from the bank. The consequences of committing an offense are severe, even for small offenses.

Some people argue that these consequences are too severe, especially for younger people. When someone under the age of 18 commits an offense, it is called an infraction, not a crime. Instead of the results of committing a crime like jail time, they can go through educational courses that teach them about the moral and practical reasons not to commit crimes. However, when someone aged 18 commits an offense, they are subject to the exact same measures as a 30-year-old offender. This has some controversy, as studies show that the decision-making part of the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25. Teenagers who were raised without a strong parental presence are much more likely to commit a crime, and after the age of 18, they could have severe consequences that set them up poorly for a career.

Fortunately, it is possible to get a criminal record expunged, vacated, or sealed. One can qualify for these depending on the severity of the crime, how long it has been since the crime, and what type of crime it was. If they were arrested and charged with a crime, but never convicted, then it would be possible to get the arrest record expunged. Additionally, misdemeanors after three years are usually able to get cleared, and in limited cases, felonies could be expunged as well.

After someone commits a crime or they realize they want their record expunged, it’s very important to get an attorney. Their sole purpose is to try and help you as best as they can with your case or criminal record. When searching for an attorney, it is important to look at their case history and results, and see if they can do the job for you. Asking friends or family for advice for an attorney is also very useful. Overall, attorneys can turn what could be a life-long hindrance into a minor bump in the road.

Considering all these factors one can see why it can be important to check and see if you have a criminal record. This site offers resources to determine if you have a criminal record, and if so, tips and advice on how to contact an attorney to help you get it removed.