If you are facing a felony conviction in Wheeling, you are no doubt aware of the severity of situation. Along with jail times and exorbitant fines, you will also be subject to the collateral consequences of a felony. These consequences can impact many different areas of one’s life, from being able to vote to securing gainful employment.
According to NPR, there are wide range of potential ramifications that can occur if you are convicted of a felony. For instance, any professional licenses you possess could be in jeopardy, as will your ability to qualify for a loan. Some of the consequences are in the interest of public safety, such as prohibiting felons from purchasing and possessing a gun. However, some say the sheer volume of collateral consequences make it difficult for those convicted of a crime to move on with their lives.
Current estimates show at least 44,000 potential collateral consequences all over the nation. There are so many that it can be difficult to be aware of them all, which makes it a challenge for former felons to anticipate when issues might arise. Accordingly, a database has been created that allows you to search for collateral consequences in your specific location.
Collateral consequences can be particular damaging for anyone in need of federally-funded housing. While the government has recently urged housing authorities to ease regulations on felons, it is still up to the discretion of the property owner. To this end, a person can be denied low-income housing based on their criminal background, even if they have a clean criminal record for an extended length of time.
