It should come as no surprise that if you have anything on your criminal record, you will experience some consequences related to those crimes. Unfortunately, what many people do not know until they have one or more convictions on their records is that the effects of criminal convictions can extend far beyond fines and jail time into just about every area of a person’s life, for many years after the conviction occurred.

While we would like to think that people who commit crimes experience punishment, and then choose to live their lives as upstanding citizens after having learned from their mistakes could do that without running into additional detriment from their earlier misdeeds, it is unfortunately not true. The effects of a criminal conviction can follow an individual far into the future and jeopardize things that they have worked very hard to accomplish.

For example, a man who started a successful locksmith business over thirty years ago is now being denied an operating license because he had participated in crime while he was a teenager. The man, whose company has served over a hundred thousand customers and has garnered excellent reviews from the Better Business Bureau and other business ranking agencies, did not commit any other crimes after he drove the getaway car for his roommates after they broke into someone’s house. Not only did he not commit any more crimes, he got punished for his role in the break-in – he spent five years on probation and also paid restitution.

What’s more, after the Texas DPS started regulating locksmithing and other professions, the man was able to get a locksmith license based upon the length of time since his conviction and his good behavior since that single mistake. He maintained that license until last year when he got a notice that said that his license would not get renewed because of the past conviction. It is unclear why the license wasn’t renewed after getting renewed for many years despite the conviction, and it could be because of a technical glitch or some other error. He’s currently pursuing reinstatement of his license, but he is already experiencing negative consequences of being unlicensed – he’s been unable to work as a locksmith for over six months, he has lost his BBB accreditation because he’s not licensed, and more.

Unfortunately, the locksmith isn’t the only person whose past mistake is causing him present-day harm. Over two hundred Texas laws that relate to employment bar people with past convictions from certain types of work. Those laws send a message that rehabilitation and reform don’t happen, that crime is a permanent barrier to many kinds of employment. That is not a message that it would be helpful for society to believe, nor is it a message that will prove useful in deterring crime.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Defending the Accused

If your criminal record prevents you from pursuing the work that you want to do, a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney might be able to help you. Call Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra, at (903) 753-7499, or contact us through our website by using our online contact form.

The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and, unfortunately for shoppers, the stores are not the only ones who are interested in getting a hold of your cash. Thieves are continually coming up with new strategies and tactics for obtaining money from unsuspecting victims. Jugging, the latest trend in theft, has infiltrated major cities in Texas and is likely to make its way into smaller communities soon. Jugging is a crime, so Texans are wise to understand what activities are part of the offense of jugging so that they do not become victims and so that they do not unwittingly participate in a jugging operation.

Jugging begins when someone stations themselves in a car or some other location where they can see people doing transactions at the drive up ATM. They watch the person withdraw cash and then they follow the person to their next stop. After the person exits their car, the person who is jugging usually tries to break into their vehicle. Less frequently, the person who is jugging will confront the person and demand the cash. People who carry bank bags or envelopes are the most obvious targets, but anyone using a drive up ATM or teller or coming out of a bank could be at risk. Concealing your cash both as you go into the bank and before you leave the bank is an excellent way to deter juggers because they cannot see whether you have money with you. You can also protect yourself by not leaving money in your car and by making your stop at the bank your final destination before you go home.

When you are out and about, and you’re doing banking and other errands, your best defense against jugging is awareness of your surroundings. People who take the time to focus on what is going on around them are likely to notice that something does not seem right, or that they feel strange. Some people may even feel as though someone is watching them. Sometimes, juggers will sit in a car, parked with a clear view of the bank door or drive-up. Look for vehicles that are parked and occupied, with no one getting in or out. If you sense that something isn’t right, drive away from that area and take note of whether anyone follows you. If someone appears to be following you, call the police to report the suspicious situation.

Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra – Defending Texans Accused of Crimes

If you get charged with jugging or any other crime in Texas, it is essential that you consult a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible. A seasoned Texas Criminal Defense Attorney can build a solid case on your behalf, and they can pursue the best possible outcome for you under the circumstances. The consequences of being charged with or convicted of a crime can touch many areas of your life, so it is critical to protect your rights during this difficult time. If you’ve been charged with any criminal offense in Texas, call Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Alex Tyra, at (903) 753-7499, or contact us through our website by using our online contact form.