Moving on With Your Life After a Fraud Conviction
Perhaps even more damaging than the sentence itself is the oppressive stigma and limited job opportunities that follow from a fraud conviction. These are known as collateral consequences and they are especially severe in cases of “moral turpitude”, which commonly includes any sort of crime of dishonesty.
Consequences of a TX fraud conviction
Fraud charges in Texas vary in level of punishment under the criminal code. For example, stealing or receiving a stolen check is a misdemeanor but forging a check is a state jail felony. Some of the consequences result because of the fraud element, which involves dishonesty, while others apply more generally to any felony.
Conviction of a fraud or felony can lead to:
- Denial of a professional license
- Inability to register to vote or serve on jury duty
- Loss of federal student loans or grants
- Suspension of drivers license or passport privileges
Build a new track record after a fraud conviction
Minimizing the collateral consequences of a fraud conviction is not an overnight endeavor, but it is possible with some knowledgeable action.
- Fight the charge. If you have not yet been convicted, it may be possible for a skilled TX fraud defense lawyer to fight the charges. Even after conviction, there may be grounds to appeal and still avoid the effects of the conviction.
- Speak with a Texas criminal defense lawyer to determine whether you qualify for an expungements. The expungement laws are tedious and precise but the payoff for those who qualify is big; an expungement does away with a conviction and most of the records related to it, so that a person whose record was expunged may check “no” on applications asking whether they have ever been charged or convicted of a crime.
- Be realistic about your career prospects. Someone who has a conviction for credit card fraud cannot realistically work in retail or banking because it would be a liability for the employer. Instead, these employees need to look for positions in other settings, where there is no regular handling of other people’s financial information.
- Build a new track record. Reach out to family and friends who may own businesses or rental property to get your foot in the door with a new career or housing arrangement. Maintain a record of good behavior. Stay up to date on any court costs, fines, or other restitution.
Consult a fraud defense lawyer in Dallas
When you are facing a fraud charge, you need a skilled and dedicated TX defense attorney fighting for your rights. Jeffery King has a proven track record grounded on commitment to putting the needs of the client first. To arrange a free consultation, call us today.
Additional Fraud Conviction Resources:
- Texas Legislature, Penal Code CHAPTER 32. FRAUD http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.32.htm
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimconvict.htm
- Texas Occupations Code, Title 2. General Provisions Relating to Licensing Chapter 53 Consequence of Criminal Conviction, http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/OC/htm/OC.53.htm#53.025
