The Hidden Costs of a Criminal Record in Fairfax: Housing, Employment & Beyond

If you have been charged with a crime in Fairfax, you are facing fines and jail time. You may be facing other penalties as well. But if you get convicted, these are not the only consequences you will face. Having a criminal record can lead to a variety of hidden costs—and these hidden costs can continue to negatively impact your life long after you have served your sentence. Keep reading to learn more from an experienced Fairfax criminal defense lawyer.

5 Hidden Costs of a Criminal Record

What are the hidden costs of having a criminal record in Fairfax? Here are five examples of ways that a criminal conviction can have long-term financial (and other) impacts on your life:

1. Housing

In Virginia (as in other states), companies that own apartment complexes and other rental properties may ask prospective tenants about their criminal records during the application process. They are also generally allowed to deny housing based on applicants’ criminal records—as long as they do not do so on a discriminatory basis.

As a result, many people who have criminal records in Fairfax struggle to find affordable housing for years (if not longer) following their conviction. If your housing options are limited, you may be forced to live farther from your work, family, and friends, which could lead to higher transportation costs.

2. Financing

Lenders can also consider applicants’ criminal records in Virginia. If you have a criminal record, this could disqualify you from various financing opportunities. Additionally, if you are able to find a loan, your interest rate could be significantly higher as a result of your criminal conviction. Regardless of the crime for which you were convicted, lenders will view you as “high risk,” and this means that they will charge you more for issuing a loan (if they are willing to issue a loan at all).

3. Employment

For many people, the most significant financial impact of a criminal conviction by far is its impact on their employment. In Virginia, having a criminal record can lead to all of the following:

Loss of Your Current Job – For various reasons, many employers are unwilling to keep employees on their payroll after a conviction.
Loss of Future Job Opportunities – Regardless of your current employment status, having a criminal record will limit your employability in the future.
Consequences for Your Professional License – If you have a professional license, a criminal conviction could lead to a reprimand, suspension, or revocation.
Consequences for Your Security Clearance – If you have a security clearance, a criminal conviction could result in your clearance being revoked.
Limited Options for Starting Your Own Business – Due to the financing-related consequences discussed above, a criminal conviction could also limit your options for starting your own business.

If you are unable to find suitable employment, this could truly impact your finances for the rest of your life. This fact alone makes it well worth hiring an experienced Fairfax criminal defense lawyer to help you fight your criminal charge by all means available.

4. Education

If you are in school or thinking about going back to school, a criminal conviction can also have educational costs. Criminal convictions can potentially lead to suspension, expulsion, and other academic consequences depending on the specific circumstances involved. Not only might this mean you need to pay for an extra semester (or lose the money you have invested in your education), but it could also limit your career prospects.

5. Immigration

If you are a non-U.S. citizen, a criminal conviction could also have serious immigration consequences—and these consequences will also have associated costs. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and other applicable laws, criminal convictions may result in visa revocation, removal, or a determination of inadmissibility. If you remain in the U.S. illegally after losing your immigration status, this can potentially expose you to further criminal prosecution under federal law.

Other Possible “Collateral” Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Virginia

Along with these hidden costs, criminal convictions in Virginia can also lead to other serious “collateral” consequences. While these consequences might not impact your finances, they can still have significant and long-term impacts on your daily life:

Loss of Parenting Rights – If you have children, a serious criminal conviction could result in loss or limitation of your parenting rights.
Loss of Voting Rights – In Virginia, a felony conviction will result in the loss of your right to vote.
Loss of Gun Rights – A felony conviction will also result in loss of your gun rights in Virginia.
Harm to Your Personal Reputation – Having a criminal record can harm your personal reputation regardless of the circumstances involved in your arrest.
Sex Offender Registration – If you are convicted of a sex crime in Virginia, you may be required to register as a sex offender—and Virginia’s sex offender registry is public record.

Even these are just examples. From losing your driver’s license to losing your ability to run for public office, criminal convictions in Virginia can have a wide range of other consequences as well. As a result, if you are facing criminal prosecution in Fairfax, you owe it to yourself and your family to fight your charge by all means available. This starts with putting an experienced Fairfax criminal defense lawyer on your side.

Are You Facing Charges? Discuss Your Case with an Experienced Fairfax Criminal Defense Lawyer for Free

If you are facing criminal charges in Fairfax, we strongly encourage you to contact us so we can help protect your freedom, finances, and future. Stevens Caruso is a team of experienced criminal defense lawyers who are committed to protecting their clients by all legal means available. To speak with an experienced Fairfax criminal defense lawyer in confidence as soon as possible, call us at 703-897-1777 or request a free consultation online today.