Collateral consequences are the effects of a given action or inaction that are unintended, unknown, or at least not explicit. A collateral consequence may simply be one that is beyond the scope of consideration.

These are as opposed to direct consequences, which stem from the action in an anticipated manner.

For example, picture a person starting a farm. The direct consequences of this farm's development are revenue for the farmer, produce for consumers, etc. The collateral consequences are runoff from the farm being distributed in the nearby river, or enhanced absorption of carbon dioxide by the new foliage. Collateral consequences, in this example, are related to the economic concept of externalities.

The distinction between direct and collateral consequences is perhaps most important in the area of criminal law

Criminal law

Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...

 and sentencing

Sentence (law)

In law, a sentence forms the final explicit act of a judge-ruled process, and also the symbolic principal act connected to his function. The sentence can generally involve a decree of imprisonment, a fine and/or other punishments against a defendant convicted of a crime...

, where an effort to take the collateral consequences of criminal charges

Collateral consequences of criminal charges

Collateral consequences of criminal conviction, commonly referred to as the "Four C's" are the additional civil state penalties, mandated by statute, that attach to criminal convictions. They are not part of the direct consequences of criminal conviction, such as incarceration, fines, and/or...

into account when meting out punishment is underway.