A criminal record can have very serious consequences. Even after your jail time, probation, or community service is complete, your criminal record will still follow you. It can make it more difficult to gain employment, academic opportunities, professional licenses, and even housing.
How Does a Judge Decide What Penalty Someone Faces?
While there are times when a jury decides a person’s fate after conviction, it is almost always the judge that determines the sentence. Judges have many options when making the decision including probation, community service, and jail sentences.