If you have a criminal record in Virginia, you may face severe lasting consequences. Reach out to our firm today to retain the services of a skilled Virginia criminal defense attorney at James A. Bullard, Jr. P.C., to learn more about your options and how our dedicated legal team can help you. Continue reading to learn about how a criminal record can impact your future and if you can seal your record.
How will a criminal record affect my future?
If you were charged with a crime in Virginia, you can expect life-long consequences. Having a criminal record can have the following negative effects:
- If you are an immigrant in the United States, some criminal convictions can result in deportation from the country.
- A criminal record can affect your job opportunities. When you apply for jobs, you will often be asked if you have ever been convicted of a crime.
- If you received a DUI conviction, it may also prevent you from applying for a commercial license, additionally limiting your job options.
- Some criminal convictions may prevent you from being able to rent certain properties.
- Some criminal convictions may prohibit you from securing certain loans.
- If you are a convicted sex offender, this will likely become part of the public record.
- In certain cases, criminal convictions can affect child custody agreements. For instance, if you are convicted of an act of domestic violence or substance abuse, your former spouse may challenge that you are unfit to be a parent because these actions violate the principle of your custody agreement, which is to protect your child’s best interests.
Can I seal my criminal record in Virginia?
The state of Virginia allows some criminal records to be sealed. By sealing a criminal record, you are removing it from the public domain. This means that individuals and private entities supplied with a court order and government agencies can retrieve these records at any time. It is important to note that sealed court records do not show up on Virginia background checks, because only individuals and entities that have a court order can access the records for a criminal background check.
If you have questions or concerns about sealing records in Virginia, reach out to our firm today to learn more.
Contact Our Firm
If you live in Virginia and have been charged with a crime, the time to speak with an experienced Richmond criminal defense attorney is now. Led by Attorney James A. Bullard Jr., our firm has fought on behalf of clients facing serious legal penalties for decades. We handle various criminal and traffic cases, including reckless driving tickets, DUIs, violent crimes, drug crimes, and so much more. Contact James A. Bullard Jr. P.C. today so we can begin formulating a comprehensive defense on your behalf.
