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A felony charge is something that will follow you for the rest of your life. It can adversely impact your life in many ways. When you are found or plead guilty to a felony, there are rights that are taken away from you. Here are seven ways a felony charge can affect your life.
- You Lose the Right to Vote
- You Won’t be Eligible for Federal Assistance
- You Can’t Serve on a Jury
- You Are Ineligible to Serve in the Armed Forces
- You May Have to Forfeit Professional Licenses
- It’s Hard to Find a Job
- Your Ability to Travel Will be Impacted
A person forfeits his right to vote, to hold public office, or be a candidate for public office when convicted of a felony. California law does allow your voting rights to be reinstated when you have finished serving your sentence and paid all fines.
If you are found guilty or plead guilty to a felony then you lose your eligibility for federal assistance. This means that you won’t be allowed to receive food stamps or get help with paying with higher education. You won’t be allowed to get loans, grants, or work-study. If you don’t have substantial savings, then loss of financial assistance can make a huge impact on your life.
If you have been convicted of a felony, you are disqualified from serving on California’s jury, unless you have had your civil rights restored. The only ways to have your California civil rights restored are to apply and be granted a Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon or through a direct application for a pardon from California’s governor.
If you have a felony charge then you are not allowed to serve in the armed forces unless you receive a waiver from the Secretary of Defense.
If you have established your career and are professionally licensed, a felony conviction can undo all that. A few examples of licenses that can be suspended or revoked are medical, attorneys, architects, private detectives, psychologists, and judges.
When you have been charged with a felony it makes it very difficult to be hired. Many employers are skeptical of hiring a person with a felony conviction because they presume that they are at the least untrustworthy or even dangerous.
Your ability to travel to foreign countries will be negatively impacted from a felony conviction. Most sentences for felony convictions include a period of supervised release following any prison or jail time. During this time, you generally need permission from your probation or parole officer to travel outside the U.S. or more than 50 miles from your home. Many foreign governments make it a crime under their laws for an individual with a felony conviction to enter into their country without special application. Special applications, if available, can take months to obtain.
While being convicted of a felony is by no means the end of the world, it will make your life very difficult. Of course, you can always restore your community standing after a conviction, but it is going to take a long time and be very challenging.
If you have been accused of a felony or other criminal activity, it is important to find a legal representative to defend your case.
Fresno Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charles Magill’s relentless and creative style of legal service has resulted in more than 150 jury and court trial victories. Because of his uncanny ability to explain complex legal cases with unmistakable clarity, many news organizations, including FOX, ABC, CBS, NPR, NBC, The Wall Street Journal and The Fresno Bee, have sought his concise legal insight in interviews. He is an active member in the local Fresno Community and a member of the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce. He and his firm have received multiple awards of recognition, many of which are a direct result of client nomination.
