How a Drug Conviction Affects Employment

How a Drug Conviction Affects Employment

In today’s competitive marketplace, jobs in almost every employment sector are very competitive – even for those who have exceptional academic credentials. Criminal drug convictions result in criminal records, which can have a negative impact on a person’s employment and employment prospects. If you have been charged with or convicted of a drug crime, it is essential that you have an experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney on your side representing you throughout your case. An experienced attorney may be able to help you with obtaining a charge reduction or plea deal and may be able to assist you with having your drug case dropped altogether.

Florida Drug Crimes

In Florida, defendants can be charged with drug possession, drug distribution, or possession with intent to distribute, depending upon the nature and circumstances of the offense. Of these crimes, drug possession is the least serious and results in the least-serious penalty. However, a conviction for any of these crimes results in a criminal record that may potentially have a negative impact on a defendant’s current or future employment.

Employment Opportunities

Employers are increasingly performing criminal background checks on prospective employees. A criminal record – even for drug convictions – can potentially result in the following:

• Denial of a good employment opportunity (despite being well-credentialed)
• Loss of a job upon obtaining a criminal conviction
• Loss of a professional license

Obtaining a Criminal Record Expungement

A Florida criminal record expungement wipes a defendant’s slate clean, so to speak, allowing him or her an opportunity to start anew. The public is not generally able to view a criminal defendant’s expunged criminal drug record. A Florida court will make the final decision about whether or not to expunge a defendant’s criminal drug record. Florida judges usually focus on the following factors when making their decision:

• The amount of time that has passed since the arrest, drug charge, or conviction
• The nature of the drug crime or charge
• Any danger to the community-at-large by granting the drug record expungement

Contact an Experienced St. Petersburg Criminal Defense Attorney Today to Discuss Your Case

Any criminal record can seriously affect a defendant’s current and future employment prospects. An experienced St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer may be able to assist you with eliminating or reducing your charges or with petitioning a Florida court for a criminal record expungement. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a St. Petersburg criminal defense lawyer, please call us or contact us online.