Being convicted of a crime does not only lead to potentially hefty fines and jail time. It can also have huge consequences on how you are able to live your life in years to come. If you regret the way you have acted in the past but hope to turn your life around and make a success of yourself, one of the most important things that you can do is to aggressively defend yourself against any charges made against you so that you can avoid the long-term consequences.

You may be wondering what the long-term consequences of assault convictions are. The following is an overview of the consequences that you will likely face if you are convicted of an assault crime.

You’ll have a criminal record

A criminal record is a formal recording of the contacts that an individual has had with the law. It may contain arbitrary information such as your height, weight and identifying marks such as tattoos. It will also detail all arrests, convictions, sentences and paroles. Misdemeanors and felonies are always recorded on a criminal record.

Criminal records are public information

The most concerning aspect of having an assault conviction on your criminal record is the fact that it is public information. This means that having an assault conviction on your criminal record could be detrimental to being able to rent accommodation or get a job. Employers and prospective landlords are able to easily track your criminal record, and they can discriminate on the basis of your criminal record. You may also be unable to visit certain countries, as it can affect your application for a visa.

Defending yourself

A huge reason to adequately defend yourself against a criminal charge is so that you are able to avoid having a criminal record.

Make sure that you take action to defend yourself against an accusation of assault. The earlier you take action, the better your chances of success.