What Are These Collateral Consequences And How Do They Impact Me?

Collateral Consequences are penalties/restrictions, other than jail or a fine, imposed by law. For instance, a conviction for a Possession of Marijuana, less than 2 ounces, a Class B Misdemeanor, will result in your drivers’ license being suspended for 180 days. An assault conviction will result in an automatic suspension of one’s ability to inspect motor vehicles, and it could result in a notary losing their commission, or a health care worker losing their license. If you are curious about what the collateral consequences are for the crime that you are charged with, click here (embed the URL for abacollateralconsequences.org), agree to the Terms and Conditions, Select Texas from the various states, and then choose the crime, whether it is a felony or misdemeanor, and whether a consequence is mandatory, discretionary, or can be waived. It is important to understand both the collateral consequences that you face, as well as the punishment under the criminal law, so that you can make an informed decision.