If you are interested in becoming an attorney, it is in your best interest to stay out of trouble with the law. While it may not be impossible to achieve your dream even with a prior record, it can make accomplishing your goal much harder. Let’s look at some ways in which a criminal record can interfere with your legal career.
It’s Difficult to Practice Law from a Jail Cell
Each day that you spend in a jail cell is a day that you can’t spend in a classroom earning your law degree. It is also a day that you can’t spend working in an effort to save up for tuition or other costs associated with your degree. While some jails or prisons allow inmates to get an education, a future employer may not be impressed by your ability to graduate from a correspondence program.
Legal Troubles May Prevent You from Getting Into School
Once you are out of jail, it may be difficult to get a college to accept your application. Depending on the crime that you have committed, you may be seen as a danger to others on campus. If you have been convicted of a DUI, you may have to get a ride to class each day. Therefore, you may be limited to taking online courses to get your criminal justice degree, which may or may be a fit with your learning style. You can always click here for more information about online criminal justice degrees. Remember to do plenty of research before signing up for a program.
Legal Troubles May Dissuade Firms from Hiring You
After getting your degree, the next step is to find a firm that will hire someone who has a criminal record. While it is not impossible that someone will take a chance on you, your options may be limited. In some cases, you may be forced to start your own firm and handle the challenges that come with it.
Would Your Clients Trust You?
In the event that you start your own practice, you have to convince potential clients to trust you. This may be difficult if you have been convicted of violent or otherwise significant crimes such as assault or drug use. If you can’t find clients, your dreams of being an attorney may be dashed.
Committing a crime could put more than just your freedom at stake. Once you have served your time or otherwise completed your sentence, you will still feel the effects of having a criminal record. While it may not stop you from being successful, it may mean that your success will occur outside of the legal field.