A Drug Conviction Can Have Long-Term Consequences for Younger Offenders

.A drug conviction of any kind can have significant consequences, such as jail time, fines, relationship problems, and a permanently damaged reputation. However, younger offenders may have even more to lose if they are convicted of drug charges. Nearly every aspect of their life could be affected for decades to come. If you are a young person facing drug charges, do not waste time reaching out to a Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer. The sooner you have someone on your side to protect your rights, the better the outcome of your case may be. 

Financial Aid Woes

Drug convictions can impact your eligibility for federal and even private student aid. If you are already receiving federal student aid in the form of grants, loans, or work-study programs, you could lose it with a drug conviction. You may also be required to pay back previously received financial aid. If you have such a conviction in your past when applying for financial assistance, you are required to disclose it. 

Private scholarships and other non-government forms of financial aid are also commonly impacted by drug convictions. If you are facing drug charges or already have a conviction, you must look into these issues with your Wisconsin criminal defense attorney's help to determine your next steps.

College or Trade School Admissions

In some cases, a previous drug charge conviction can also keep you from attending your chosen university. About 66 percent of colleges collect criminal information in their admissions process, according to one study. However, not all of them consider the information when determining whom to admit. Some schools conduct criminal background checks instead of merely relying upon self-disclosure. 

The best way to handle to prevent a drug charge keeping you from getting into the school of your dreams or the school that you can afford is to proactively fight the charge with the help of a seasoned Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer.

Professional Licensures

In the United States, about 20 percent of employees need a license to work. Suppose you are pursuing a career that requires you to have a professional license or are already in possession of a license. In that case, a criminal conviction related to drugs can impact your ability to obtain or maintain your license. Examples of professional licenses that could be affected by a drug conviction include: 

• Law licenses
• Medical licenses
• Nursing licenses
• Pilot's licenses
• CPA licenses
• Real estate licenses
• Teaching licenses

Once a criminal conviction is added to your permanent record, there is very little a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney can do to help you obtain a professional license. By contacting an attorney before or immediately after you have been charged with a drug crime, you begin mitigating the damage that a drug charge could do to your professional career.

Don't Let a Drug Conviction Ruin Your Future, Call an Experienced Drug Defense Lawyer Today

A serious drug charge could irrevocably alter your life and your future. Call Cohen Law Offices today at (715) 514-5051 or use our convenient online contact form to receive a free case review. The experienced attorneys at Cohen Law Offices will work tirelessly so that you can have the educational and professional future you deserve.