4 Rights You Lose After Being Charged With a Crime

Scartelli Olszewski P.C.

Being charged with a crime is a serious matter, even for the most minuscule of offenses. Even if the crime doesn’t end with you going to jail, there are certain rights you lose. The more severe the charge, the more rights you lose. For this reason, there are things you need to make sure you’re not doing after a criminal charge.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, it’s not going to be easy. It’s important to understand what your rights are during this process and what limitations may be placed on you until the outcome of your case is determined. If you’re unsure which rights you still have depending on your charge, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. immediately.

4 Rights You Can Lose to Criminal Charges

If you are charged with a criminal offense, you can immediately (though temporarily) lose certain rights until you are acquitted. The issue is that the proper authorities do not always tell you what these rights are, and different charges can lead to different rights being temporarily lost. These include:

1. The right to possess firearms: If you are facing criminal charges for violent crimes such as assault or murder, you will likely be prohibited from owning or possessing firearms until your case is resolved. You have to relinquish any that you own to the authorities. This is due to safety concerns and the potential risk of using a firearm to harm yourself or others.
2. The right to travel: Depending on the severity of the charges, you may be required to surrender your passport or obtain permission from the court before leaving the country. This is to ensure that you do not flee and avoid facing consequences for your actions if you are not acquitted.
3. The right to vote: You can lose the right to vote if you are charged on the federal level, and you should contact an attorney for more information. Otherwise, in Pennsylvania, you can vote even while detained.
4. The right to hold certain jobs: Depending on the nature of the charges, you may be prohibited from holding certain jobs until your case is resolved. This typically applies to positions that require background checks and have strict moral or ethical standards. An example would be a job as a teacher or child caregiver.

Attempting to exercise these rights while facing criminal charges can have serious consequences. For example, if you are found in possession of a firearm or you attempt to travel without permission from the court, it could result in additional charges and severely harm your case.

Why These Restrictions Are In Place

The restrictions placed on individuals facing criminal charges are meant to protect both the accused and society as a whole. They are put in place to prevent potential harm or flight risk and to ensure that the accused is held accountable for their actions.

Additionally, these restrictions help to maintain the integrity of the legal system and ensure a fair trial. Allowing people charged with a crime such as murder to continue living their lives as if nothing has happened could potentially impact witness testimonies and evidence presented in court depending on the charge.

Contact the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. for Help

Being charged with a crime can result in you losing several rights. However, it’s important to remember that you still have certain protections and options available to you, such as an attorney. It is crucial to understand your rights and work closely with your attorney during this process to ensure the best possible outcome for your case, no matter what the criminal charge is. So it is always recommended that you seek legal help.

The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. are dedicated to protecting the rights of their clients and fighting for the best possible outcome in their cases. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help you during this difficult time.