If you’re in the process of finding an apartment and you have a misdemeanor or felony on your record, it may be difficult to find housing. But there are ways to help you find a place to live and get back on your feet.
Getting your criminal record expunged, sealed or dropped from a background check can be an effective way to get an apartment. Reach out to local law enforcement and court systems for information about these options.
Class C Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is an offense that carries less serious penalties than a felony. However, they can still have a big impact on your life. For instance, they can affect your ability to rent an apartment or get a job.
There are different ways to deal with misdemeanors, including probation and deferred adjudication. In addition, some states allow people who have been charged with a misdemeanor to have their records expunged from public records. If you are considering seeking these options, it’s important to know how long your convictions will stay on your record and what the process involves.
In Texas, a Class C misdemeanor may be expunged after 180 days from the date of arrest. This means that a person will have their criminal history cleared of this conviction and it will no longer show up on background checks or employment applications.
The best way to make sure that your conviction is completely removed from your public record is to consult an attorney who specializes in misdemeanors. They will have a thorough understanding of the laws and can guide you through the expungement process.
Another option is to ask the court for supervision, which can be similar to probation in a felony case but consists of terms that are shorter and less harsh. The court can also impose additional conditions such as community service or drug or alcohol treatment programs.
This can help you clean up your misdemeanor record and get a fresh start in life. You’ll need to pay a fine and participate in a court-approved program, but your record will be cleared of this crime once you’re completed.
If you’re facing a Class C misdemeanor, it is crucial to contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Our team will work hard to protect your rights and ensure that you have the best chance at defending yourself against this charge.
If you have questions about a misdemeanor or have been accused of a crime, call our team of attorneys at the Kostopoulos Law Group today. We have experience fighting for clients who have been accused of a variety of misdemeanors in Chicago.
Felonies
If you have a felony on your record, it can make apartment hunting and finding housing much more difficult. In many cases, landlords will not even look at your application if you have a felony, but this can vary from state to state.
Felonies are the most serious crimes, and are punishable by jail or prison time. They can range from petty theft, traffic violations and other misdemeanors to murder, kidnapping, arson, and more. The most severe crimes, such as first-degree murder or aggravated assault, are class A felonies.
This is important to keep in mind because a felony can affect your credit and how much money you have to pay on monthly rent. Landlords will use your debt to income ratio (DTI) to calculate how much you can afford to pay for an apartment.
Your debt to income ratio is calculated by adding your annual gross income to your total debts. Your landlord will want to see that your DTI is less than 35 percent. If your DTI is too high, it will make it more difficult to get an apartment.
Often, a felony on your record can lead to more difficulty finding an apartment, but there are ways to overcome it. For example, you may want to consider getting your criminal record sealed or expunged.
In addition, you can try to find an apartment that is “Felony Friendly.” These apartments don’t require a background check and sometimes have special rules or guidelines regarding felons.
These apartments are also usually cheaper than the standard, non-Felony Friendly apartments. These apartments are often found on Craigslist, and it’s a good idea to browse through these listings as part of your apartment search.
You can also call your local housing authority to find out what programs you may qualify for. In many areas, HUD offers assistance for people with felony histories, including access to Section 8 housing.
Finally, if your landlord does not accept your rental application based on a felony, you can file a discrimination complaint with the federal government. This will help you fight for your rights. To win, you will have to prove that the landlord’s policy has a discriminatory effect on a certain group of individuals more than others.
DUI
If you have a misdemeanor DUI on your criminal record, it can make finding an apartment harder than usual. This is because most landlords will conduct a background check on applicants to determine their suitability as tenants. This background check will typically include a look at your criminal record.
You should be aware that a DUI will show up on a background check, so it is important to disclose this information to your landlords before they run a background check. Telling them ahead of time about your DUI can help you increase your chances of getting approved for an apartment.
A DUI is a crime that occurs when a person drives with a blood alcohol concentration that is higher than the legal limit in their state. In some states, a DUI conviction can result in more severe penalties.
While most people with a DUI are arrested and charged with misdemeanors, it is still a serious offense. The consequences of a DUI conviction can vary from jail time to fines to a suspension of your driving privileges, depending on the specific charges.
The consequences of a DUI can also change based on the number of prior offenses. The first DUI is usually a misdemeanor, but the second offense is considered a felony. The maximum penalties for a felony DUI are more severe than the penalties for a misdemeanor.
It is a good idea to hire a lawyer if you have been accused of a DUI, because this will give you more information about your options. An experienced attorney can help you negotiate with prosecutors to obtain the best outcome for your situation.
Your attorney will also inform you about the legal implications of your case and how to protect yourself from a criminal background check. In addition, your attorney can advise you about whether or not a DUI conviction can prevent you from renting an apartment.
In some cases, a landlord will refuse to rent an apartment to you if they find out about your DUI in the background check. This is because a DUI can affect your ability to pay rent, which can be a serious problem for many people. It can also be dangerous for your health and safety, so it is always a good idea to take steps to ensure that you don’t get a DUI.
Drug Possession
If you have a drug conviction on your criminal record, it will be hard for you to find an apartment. Many landlords perform background checks on prospective tenants, and a drug conviction could make your application seem untrustworthy or too risky to the landlord.
The most common types of possession charges are those involving marijuana, cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. However, there are other drugs that may be considered illegal under certain circumstances. These are referred to as controlled substances, and they are classified by their schedules.
To be convicted of possession, the prosecutor must prove that you knowingly possessed an illegal substance. This means that you had no legal excuse for having the drug in your possession, such as if you borrowed a friend’s car and had no idea that the car was carrying drugs.
Depending on the amount of the drug that is found, possession can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. If it is a felony, you will likely face more serious penalties, including incarceration and fines.
Penalties for drug possession vary widely across the country. In California, for example, possession of any drug on the Schedule (other than marijuana) is a misdemeanor crime that carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
A conviction for drug possession can also affect your ability to get a job, and it can impact your parenting time with children. Even if the drug charge was not related to child abuse, it may lead to an investigation by social services, which could prevent you from receiving parental custody or visitation rights.
In some states, there are special laws that allow for the possession of drugs for medical reasons, or with a doctor’s prescription. But these are often regulated separately from other substances.
If you are arrested for possession of a controlled substance, you may face additional charges of intent to distribute or manufacture the drug. Those charges can have very serious consequences, as they will be on your permanent criminal record.
If you have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, it is crucial to hire an experienced drug lawyer as soon as possible. These lawyers will build a strong case to ensure that you receive the least amount of long-term repercussions from your conviction.