The Key To Better Finances After a Conviction

Running afoul of the law often results in consequences outside of fines and imprisonment, as severe as those are. A criminal conviction might wreck your finances too. Understanding why that is a possibility and how you can overcome financial issues related to legal matters is essential.

Although hiring a criminal defense attorney affects your finances, failing to do so is a big mistake. The experienced Ohio criminal defense attorneys at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co., LPA, may stop further financial harm by resolving your case without fines and imprisonment. Lessening the consequences of a conviction leads to far fewer financial problems overall.

Contact us today if you need to discuss your criminal charges. Call (419) 62507770 or use our online form to schedule a free consultation with attorney Troy Wisehart.

Pre-Conviction Financial Issues

After being charged with a crime, your finances may start feeling the pinch almost immediately from:

  • Posting bail
  • Paying for release of a vehicle from impound
  • Meeting an insurance deductible
  • Missing work while incarcerated
  • Losing your job
  • Hiring a defense attorney
  • Being unable to drive and paying for transportation

You may be unaware of how quickly your finances are affected if you’ve never had legal trouble before. If you lost your job after arrested, it could be challenging to find another with criminal charges hanging over your head. Loss of income could require you to ask for a loan from family or friends to help you get through this period.

Don’t try cut corners and resolve your charge alone by not hiring experienced criminal defense counsel. You need a capable attorney who can get your charges dismissed or reduced to lessen the negative consequences, including to your finances.

Money Problems While Incarcerated

Should your sentence include incarceration, you’ll no longer have access to banking and credit. Accordingly, you need to get as much of your financial house in order as possible before your sentence begins. Our attorneys can help you with notifying creditors, perhaps settling debts, or may suggest you file bankruptcy so that you get a fresh start after you serve your time.

Another consideration is your child support. If you are in prison, child support obligations will accrue, resulting in owing back support. A court can modify your child support order because incarceration is a substantial and material change in circumstances. But you must work with one of our family law attorneys to get a new order entered.

Post-Conviction Finances

Once released, money problems likely continue. You may owe court fees, fines, and restitution. Collection efforts on debts unpaid, while you were behind bars may begin.

When you have these new financial obligations, such as paying for housing, transportation, and food, you likely have little money. Finding a job is more difficult because of your criminal record. Even if working, it may be some time before you are stable enough to meet all your obligations.

You may discover your credit score dropped while serving time as well. Because of a lower score, interest rates on car loans or other consumer goods may be much higher, further eroding cash reserves.

Let Us Help You Avoid Financial Issues From a Conviction

The best way to avoid financial problems related to a criminal conviction is not to have one. When you engage the Ohio criminal defense attorneys at Kademenos, Wisehart, Hines, Dolyk & Wright Co., LPA, we will fight hard to resolve your legal trouble with the least amount of financial harm as possible. We have more than 25 years of experience fighting for clients just like you. Besides our criminal practice, we have family law and debt settlement attorneys that can provide counsel should you need it.

If you’re facing a criminal charge and are worried about the effect on your finances, contact attorney Troy Wisehart at (419) 62507770 or use our online form to set up a free consultation.