Having a criminal record can come with a severe set of consequences on its own. A criminal record is searchable on background checks, which can cause a number of career, educational, financial, and social issues. Some of these include: Difficulty Finding Employment - For many employers, a criminal background can be disqualifying, so it’s a challenge to find a job after a criminal conviction. Professional Licensing Problems - Many professional licensing boards will not approve someone with a criminal record. For those situations where it isn’t automatically disqualifying, it can still be an obstacle. University Admissions Challenges - Like employers, universities will also consider a person’s criminal background, which can hinder the ability to get accepted into a university. Student Loan Disqualification - A criminal record can often mean automatic disqualification from many student loan options. This means that, even if someone is accepted to college, they may have difficulty acquiring the funds needed for it. Inability to Get Credit - Many lenders are very hesitant to lend to someone with a criminal background, so it can be hard to use credit with a criminal record Reputation Hit - A criminal conviction can also cause damage to a person’s reputation. Even a person’s friends and family may treat them differently as a result of a criminal conviction.