Options to Avoid a Criminal Record

Stephen Krzyston is a South Carolina attorney with Cavanaugh & Thickens where he works on criminal cases at the state and federal levels. A graduate of the Charleston School of Law, Stephen Krzyston is experienced in all aspects of criminal case preparation and defense strategy implementation. Avoiding a criminal record is a critical priority for many defendants, as it can impact future job opportunities, result in the loss of professional licenses, and affect many other areas.

To avoid a criminal record, the most obvious line of action is to attempt to get an acquittal. Short of that, there are some other options that can circumvent, or at least delay, a conviction.

A diversion is a way to put off a trial for a specific amount of time, during which the criminal defendant agrees to a prescribed course of action required by the prosecutor. If the prosecutor’s requirements are satisfied by the established time, the case is dismissed, resulting in no criminal record for the accused.

Alternative sentencing is another option that might give defendants a way to avoid criminal charges as well as jail time. Typically, it requires a plea of guilty and involves the court and representing attorneys agreeing on a sentence that doesn’t result in a criminal charge.

Finally, in a victim compromise situation, a defendant can agree to make restitution to aggrieved parties in exchange for dismissal of the charges.