Criminal Lawyer Information - After a Conviction

Hiring the best criminal lawyer in your area is going to give you the best possible defense for your crimes, but if you are guilty, chances are high you will be found guilty, even with a skilled attorney. After a conviction, your relationship with your attorney is far from over. Understanding what you face after conviction will help you know how to proceed.

Punishment

The first thing that likely happens after your conviction is the administration of whatever punishment the courts have chosen for you. If you are going to jail, this will happen. If you are going to be sent to do community service, this will be scheduled. If you are going to pay a fine, you will be asked to pay. If the conviction is of a felony, you will most likely be headed to jail. Sometimes you will be asked to pay restitution to the individual or company that your actions harmed.

Probation and Parole

If your crimes are not that serious, your criminal lawyer may be able to argue for probation instead of jail time. Probation, legally speaking, is a suspension of jail time and may be used in place of any time behind bars or in place of part of your incarceration. The seriousness of your crime and the skill of your lawyer are the two main factors that determine what type of probation you will serve.

During probation, you will have to meet certain obligations in order to remain out of jail. You may have to attend classes or get a job. If you violate these terms, you will likely land yourself back in jail.

Parole is another type of release from prison. It is a conditional release before you serve your full prison term. Like when on probation, if you are on parole you will have to follow a strict set of conditions to maintain your partial freedom, including meeting with a parole officer regularly.

Appeals

Your criminal lawyer may recommend that you appeal your felony conviction after it is made. This can be difficult, but if there was a mistake somewhere in the process, the appeal can proceed. Your attorney will know whether or not your case is a good candidate for the appeals process.

Expungement

Once you have been convicted of a felony, it will remain on your record forever. This can make it difficult to get a job in the future, among other things. Expungement is the process of removing these convictions from your record. If it is possible to do in your state, a good attorney is the best person to have on your team to walk you through the process.

Keep in mind that not all states allow for expunging. If yours does, your criminal lawyer will be familiar with the laws and will be able to tell you what you need to do. If you are successful, your record will read as if the conviction never occurred, making your future life much easier.