First offense simple possession of marijuana or underage possession of alcohol criminal charges usually do not carry heavy penalties in and of themselves. A fine and court costs may be the only penalty in Court if you plead guilty or are found guilty. The real penalty, however, occurs when you leave the courtroom. This penalty follows you for life. This penalty is a criminal record.

An estimated 80% of employers conduct criminal background checks. Apartment landlords obtain criminal record checks on most tenants. Almost everyone from employers to universities will check your criminal record. Their failure to investigate criminal backgrounds may open them to liability suits. Today, your criminal record is important to keep clean.

In our current economy where jobs have been cut and unemployment is high, there are numerous applicants for each job opening. For each applicant with a criminal record, his or her resume usually is discarded as there are many equally qualified candidates for the position without criminal records. A simple possession, first offense, will affect you the rest of your life.

Many believe that criminal offenses are like insurance points; they fall off your record after a certain number of years. Others believe that if the offenses occurred when they were between 16 and 21 years of age, they will fall off your record. This is not the case. Once on your criminal record, the offense stays on your criminal record, unless expunged.

If you have been charged with a first offense simple possession of marijuana or underage possession of alcohol, beware. Do not take the easy way out by pleading guilty and paying a fine and leaving the courthouse. There are programs designed for first offenders that will help keep your record clean. Successful completion of such programs usually allow for expungements of all information concerning the offense. Expungements keep your record clean. Remember however, you only get one such expungement in a lifetime in North Carolina.

Education, hard work and dedication are essential to a successful future. A clean criminal record is also essential. If you have made a mistake and been charged with a criminal offense, do not compound it by pleading guilty. Your future depends on it. Consult an attorney to determine your options to maintain a clean criminal record. In years to come, you will be glad you did.