Having an arrest on your record might score you extra points with a few people, but trust us — those aren’t the people you want to be around.
Unfortunately, having an arrest on your record carries a profound stigma, and it can interfere with your life and your relationships.
It’s true: telling your parents, grandparents, siblings, children, or significant other about your arrest will be challenging. But the ripple effect doesn’t stop there.
Many employers require disclosure of prior convictions. Having a conviction on your record can substantially interfere with your ability to secure a job.
That’s why it’s so important to have the best available legal team on your side as soon as possible, to minimize the chance that your arrest turns into a conviction.
If you’ve already been convicted of a crime, don’t give up. Speak with an experienced attorney to find out if you may have a case worthy of expungement. (Expungement is a type of lawsuit in which someone who has been convicted of a crime attempts to seal the records pertaining to that crime. If successful, expungement goes a long way toward effectively erasing the crime from existence.)
Your reputation is all you have. Don’t just say, “I was arrested.” Say “I was arrested, and I’ve secured a top-notch attorney to help me fight for my freedom and my rights.”