How a Criminal Charge Can Affect Your Job

A criminal charge can affect your job by making it harder to keep your position, find a new job, or continue working in certain professions. People can lose their jobs after an arrest and face problems with professional licenses, background checks, or employer policies. Even if you are never convicted, the charge may create challenges at work.

If you are facing criminal charges in Washington, a Tacoma criminal defense lawyer at Puget Law Group will explain how your case could affect your employment. We also will review steps that may help protect your future.

When a Criminal Charge May Affect Your Job

A criminal charge does not affect every worker’s employment in the same way. The kind of work you do, the allegations, your employer’s policies, and the outcome of the case can all make a difference.

Various factors may affect someone’s employment, such as:

• Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony.
• The type of crime involved.
• Whether the job requires a professional license.
• Company policies.
• Union contracts.
• Security clearance requirements.
• Whether driving is part of the job.

Your Employer May Act Before the Criminal Case Is Over

Some employers may wait until a case is resolved before making employment decisions. Others may suspend an employee or take disciplinary action sooner, especially if the allegations relate to the person’s job duties.

Puget Law Group understands that protecting your career is often just as important as defending the criminal case itself. The steps you take early in a criminal case may also affect what happens at work.

Can You Be Fired After Being Charged With a Crime?

In some situations, an employer can decide to let an employee go if they are facing criminal charges. Washington state employers often have broad authority to make employment decisions, although employment contracts, union agreements, and certain laws may provide additional protections.

Each workplace responds to criminal charges differently. Depending on the employer’s policies and the employee’s role, a person may be placed on leave, given different responsibilities, suspended, or face other disciplinary action.

The employer’s policies, the employee’s position, and the nature of the allegations can all affect the decision. At Puget Law Group, we explain how the criminal case itself may affect your legal situation while helping you understand what comes next.

Will a Criminal Charge Show Up on a Background Check?

A criminal charge may appear on some background checks, depending on the type of search being performed and when the search occurs.

When employers conduct background checks before hiring new employees, what appears can depend on the type of background check, applicable laws, and the status of the case.

They may see pending criminal charges, criminal convictions, dismissed cases, and other court records that are publicly available. Puget Law Group helps clients understand how pending charges and case outcomes may affect future employment opportunities.

How Can a Criminal Charge Affect a Professional License?

Some criminal charges can affect a professional license by triggering a licensing board review, disciplinary action, or other requirements that may affect your ability to continue working in your profession.

Many licensed professionals, including healthcare workers, teachers, commercial drivers, and contractors, are subject to rules set by state licensing boards. Depending on the profession, type of charge, and the outcome of the case, a board may require the charge to be reported or review whether disciplinary action is appropriate.

If you have a professional license for your work, Puget Law Group will answer your questions and explain what comes next.

How a Dismissal May Affect Your Future

A dismissal and a conviction can have different legal and practical consequences. While a dismissal may reduce some long-term effects of a criminal charge, it does not automatically erase every record connected to the case.

Some records may still exist unless additional legal steps are available and appropriate under Washington law. Because every case is different, it is important to understand how the outcome of your case may affect future employment, professional licenses, and background checks.

Our team works to pursue the strongest possible outcome based on the facts and evidence in each case.

How Our Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help Protect Your Future

Every criminal case deserves a careful review of the evidence and the legal issues involved. Puget Law Group builds defense strategies based on the facts of each case while protecting clients’ rights throughout the process.

After a review of the situation, our lawyers may:

• Look at police reports and other evidence.
• Identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• Challenge unlawfully obtained evidence when appropriate.
• Negotiate with prosecutors when it serves our client’s interest.
• Prepare the case for trial when necessary.

Throughout your case, we explain what to expect, answer your questions, and keep you informed as your case moves forward.

Talk to Puget Law Group About Protecting Your Future

Getting legal advice early after a criminal charge may help you protect your rights and prepare for what comes next. Puget Law Group includes 11 attorneys, nine of whom are former prosecutors. Their experience handling cases from the prosecution side provides valuable insight when developing defense strategies.

Our attorneys also focus on specific types of criminal charges, allowing clients to work with lawyers who regularly handle cases similar to theirs. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor, felony, DUI, or another offense, we can explain your legal options.

Puget Law Group offers free consultations. Contact us today to discuss your case with us.