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OverviewUnseen and often devastating, the collateral consequences of criminal prosecutions loom as a specter that bedevils efforts at appropriate sentencing and competent counseling. Unlike the explicitly articulated direct consequences of criminal convictions, such as prison terms, parole eligibility or fines, collateral consequences lay largely hidden and unspoken, usually until it is too late. While many collateral consequences attach as a result of felony conviction in New York, a surprising variety take hold following far less serious entanglements with the criminal justice system. Misdemeanor convictions, and even mere arrest, can result in severe and far-reaching ramifications. Collateral consequences are in large part difficult to address because they exploit the specialization that has become a hallmark of our profession. These consequences occur across a staggering array of substantive legal fields, confounding the ability of criminal jurists, practitioners and the public they serve to appreciate fully all relevant repercussions. Interest in collateral consequences has boomed since the 1990's. Through this site, you can learn and share information that can lead to more just results. Below, we have set out the major areas in which collateral consequences occur so that you can quickly focus on the information that is most important to you. Links from here or in the “Subject Areas” portion of the site allow you to find information about collateral consequences in:
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