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Last Modified on Feb 26, 2026
Criminal cases often come with anxiety surrounding “what happens next.” After the first 48 hours, defendants learn more than their next court date; they learn what is at stake.
What’s at stake looks different for everyone; however, more times than not, their biggest concern is what facing criminal charges means for their careers. Whether they are a college student looking to go into nursing school or have been with the same company for 20 years, the collateral damage of criminal charges can affect their professional future and their ability to provide for themselves and their family.
Am I going to lose my job?
Being arrested does not automatically translate to being terminated. For many organizations and companies, it will depend on its employee policies. Licensed professionals, government employees and people who work in the healthcare industry or education may also be impacted. You could face a more difficult time if you are in the intake process of a new job, specifically ones that require background checks.
What if I was arrested but never convicted? What if I was convicted?
Similarly to whether your position with your company is at risk, how your company responds to arrests versus convictions is up to its bylaws. Being arrested for a crime does not mean that you are guilty of committing a crime; it means that you have been accused of committing a crime. Being convicted means that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. What arrests or convictions mean for your employment status depends on what the company’s regulations are. Contracts and employee handbooks are often the best way to find answers to these questions.
If I haven’t been convicted of a crime yet, why is it coming up on my background checks?
Your record is public. When employers pull information for background checks, they can see dismissed cases, closed cases, active cases, pending charges and convictions.
If all of this comes up, why hire an attorney?
Retaining legal counsel does not guarantee the dismissal of your case. It does, however, give you the opportunity to fight for a result that allows you to remain employed. An attorney may be able to push for a diversion program or negotiate ways to amend the charge, so a first-degree misdemeanor aggravated menacing charge is lowered to a minor misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge.
Using this example, if you were convicted of aggravated menacing, you could be facing up to 180 days in jail, maximum fine of $1,000, maximum probation of five years and maximum 500 hours of community service. If you were convicted of disorderly conduct, there is no jail time, maximum fine of $150, maximum probation of five years and maximum 30 community service hours.
Won’t it still come up as showing that I have a criminal record?
Yes, but here is the difference. In Ohio, aggravated menacing is considered an “act of violence” which is not eligible to be sealed or expunged whereas disorderly conduct is. There are different requirements that must be met before a conviction can be sealed or expunged, but that is why hiring an attorney can make the biggest difference.
Criminal defense is not always about proving innocence. In most cases, it’s defending a client’s rights and ensuring they receive a fair charge if charges cannot be dropped.
While we can’t always predict “what happens next,” we can help you with how it could look in the end.
Contact Fortress Law Group today to discuss your situation and explore your legal options. Your future deserves a strong defense.
Ohio Criminal Defense Resource:
