Can Criminal Charges Affect My Future Employment or Grad School Options?

While serious convictions may affect your employment and graduate school options, you can generally overcome the impact of criminal charges with legal help. Dedicated Conway college crimes defense lawyer Brad C. Richardson might get your charges dismissed, deferred, or expunged if you contact him immediately following the alleged offense.

Do not let a mistake on college break affect your future. Call the Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, LLC today at (843) 488-4321 or contact our Conway, S.C., defense team online.

Understanding Pre-Employment Background Checks and Applications

Most employment applications require job seekers to complete a criminal history questionnaire, which might include questions related to prior arrests and criminal charges (not just convictions). Failing to answer truthfully could result in the eventual withdrawal of any job offers following a thorough criminal background check. You should always check with an experienced S.C. criminal defense lawyer if you need help answering application and interview questions.

While minor arrests and charges seldom impact college students’ overall job prospects, the following charges or convictions might result in automatic job disqualification:

• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Sex crimes
• Fraud
• White-collar crimes
• Drug trafficking
• DUI
• Grand larceny

The only way to avoid the potential serious impact of felony charges on your future employment is to thoroughly defeat them with help from an experienced criminal defense attorney in Conway.

How Criminal Charges Might Impact Conway Grad School Options

Serious criminal charges and convictions can impact your graduate school options, especially if you’re applying to an in-person program at Coastal Carolina University (CCU). Charges and convictions might also impact your admission into professional programs requiring character and fitness assessments, such as medical school or law school.

Not every graduate program requires a criminal background check. Many schools also offer online options for those with disqualifying criminal histories. If you’re applying for financial aid or in-person professional programs, however, you should invest in getting even minor convictions dismissed and expunged to avoid program and licensure rejection.

Getting Criminal Convictions Dismissed and Expunged in South Carolina

College students getting ready to apply for jobs or graduate programs should not plead to even minor criminal charges before speaking with a dedicated student defense lawyer in Conway. South Carolina offers two alternative options to minor offenders that could result in your charges getting dismissed and expunged (removed from your criminal record).

Horry County Pretrial Intervention (PTI)

First-time offenders may qualify for PTI, which is a diversion program offered for non-violent felony and misdemeanor offenses in South Carolina. It generally requires program participation, good behavior, and around 60 hours of community service. Participants who complete PTI might request expungement, which notifies all agencies to dismiss the charges and clear the participant’s criminal record. 

Conditional Discharge

If you’ve been charged with a minor drug conviction for the first time, an experienced criminal defense lawyer might help you qualify for conditional discharge under S.C. Code § 44-53-450. Participants who meet the discharge requirements, such as receiving necessary addiction treatment, might have their cases dismissed and record expunged.

Protect Your Future with a Conway Student Crimes Defense Attorney

Yes, criminal charges can impact your employment and grad school options if you do not work with legal counsel at the Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, LLC. Discuss getting your charges dismissed with his experienced student crimes defense team today by calling (843) 488-4321 or contacting our Conway office online.