Being accused of a crime can upset you and destabilize your entire life. Whether you’re working for someone else or running your own business, the uncertainty of how things will go can be a major source of stress. For example, if found guilty, you could be fired from your job or forced to surrender your professional license.
Most people don’t think about how an arrest can affect their career until it’s already happening. And even when it seems like everything will be fine, you may overlook things that could aggravate your situation. Here’s how to protect your career if you’re arrested.
consult a lawyer immediately
Most importantly, get a lawyer as soon as possible And follow their advice. Do not try to handle your situation yourself. That option will backfire. You need professional guidance from a lawyer experienced in defending cases like yours. Decisions taken without the advice of a lawyer can harm you.
take your allegations seriously
It’s tempting to dismiss your allegations when they seem small or think they’ll be dropped. However, your employer won’t necessarily see it that way. Even just being arrested can cause concern depending on your area. For example, if you are in healthcare, finance, education or any sensitive field, employers play it safe. Simply being arrested can trigger an internal review or disciplinary action, and it is legal for employers to fire employees at will if arrested.
Even if you are not convicted, your arrest will be – as a public record – Show up on background check. This means that all future potential employers will see your arrest and you won’t get a chance to explain yourself. And although employers generally can’t make hiring decisions based on an arrest record, they can still refuse to hire you.
Think about what conviction could mean for your career. If regulatory requirements will keep you from your industry, start looking at new career possibilities. You don’t need to assume the worst but you do need to take it seriously.
Know your workplace rules before you speak
Unless your company’s rules require you to report your arrest, you may want to wait and consult with your attorney before saying anything. Saying the wrong thing or saying too much can cause problems. Check your employee handbook to see if you are required to report your arrest. If yes, follow the rules and report it otherwise you may be fired. However, avoid telling your life story to anyone. You don’t have to explain your entire situation to your coworkers or even your boss. Keep it simple, stick to the facts and keep doing your job.
If you don’t need to report your arrest, don’t. If your charges are ultimately dismissed or you are put into some type of alternative program and you are not sentenced to jail, you may be able to mention this.
Lock your social media accounts
If your employer knows you have been arrested, they may start searching your social media accounts for more information. If what you post on Facebook doesn’t match the story you’re telling your boss — or if your posts seem incomplete — you could be fired.
You can’t hide your social media accounts from the court, but you can make everything private to keep your boss away from your business.
Start improving the situation quickly
Even if you are convicted, your career will not automatically end. Many people proceed without any problems after conviction. First, consider the possibility Expungement or Sealing Your RecordsEspecially if you are under 18 years of age. And make sure you meet all the requirements the court asks of you. If you were required to complete a class, keep documentation of the completion so you can prove that you have grown as a person.
Plan how you will explain your situation
At some point, you may need to discuss what happened and what you say matters. Keep it honest and simple. Don’t lie, and don’t overshare. Employers usually care less about what you did than how you moved from that position to the next one. However, don’t improvise. Make a clear explanation and remember it. Even if you don’t say it word-for-word, it’s still better than giving an explanation under pressure.
You can control the next phase of your life
Being accused of a crime is difficult, but it doesn’t have to affect your career. By making the right decisions, you can limit the damage and move on to the next phase of your life. A conviction doesn’t have to be the end of your career.
