Being convicted of a drug crime starts a chain reaction of sorts that can impact your life for the long term. One of the considerations of these convictions is what type of charge the person was convicted of. Typically, you will face more serious impacts if you are convicted of a felony than you would for a misdemeanor. This is one reason why some defendants choose to pursue a plea deal that involves a reduction in the severity of the charge.
The collateral consequences of a drug conviction depend on your circumstances. For some individuals, the effects are minimal, but there are cases in which they are much more serious.
Financial impacts
One of the most immediate effects of facing a drug charge in Georgia starts long before a conviction. You may have to face financial challenges. This can come from having to post bail to get out of jail after you are arrested, having to hire legal representation and needing to miss work. There is a chance that the money drain will continue with fines and other costs associated with the conviction, such as probation monitoring fees.
Social impacts
The social impacts might seem negligible. However, these are often hard to handle. You might have difficulties finding suitable housing because many landlords do criminal history checks.
Some things thought of as rights will be revoked. This may mean that you can’t legally own a firearm. You might also have to deal with the conditions of probation that can include avoiding association with other people who have a criminal history and avoiding drugs and alcohol. You may realize that some individuals won’t speak to you because of the conviction even though you were close to them before.
Education and employment impacts
Your educational opportunities can suffer because of a drug conviction. Certain forms of financial aid might not be available. Your conviction might limit your employment opportunities since some employers frown on criminal convictions. There is also a chance that you will be unable to get a license or certification for your chosen job since some don’t allow people with convictions to hold them.
Ultimately, you have to look into your lifestyle so you can figure out exactly what a drug conviction will mean for you. Use this information wisely as you set your defense strategy. Work toward minimizing the collateral consequences of a conviction.