What Does It Mean to Be a Convicted Felon?

A convicted felon is someone who has been convicted of a felony. A felony is a serious crime that can carry a prison sentence of two or more years. The label comes with many stigmas, but what does it mean to be a felon?

People with felony convictions lose many rights automatically

You might lose many rights if you are convicted felon. You might not be able to vote or hold public office, and your conviction might show up on background checks, making it hard for you to get hired as a plumber or lawyer.

A felony conviction can make finding housing, employment, and education difficult

A felony conviction can make it hard to find a place to live, get a job, or go to school. Some landlords will not rent to felons, and some employers will not hire felons. A felony on your record can also make it harder for you to get the job you want.

A felony conviction has numerous collateral consequences

You might lose your right to vote and the right to own a gun. Employers may also be hesitant to hire you if they find out about your criminal record. There is also the social stigma that comes with being a convicted felon.

Some States Have Done Away with Automatic Disenfranchisement

You might not be automatically disenfranchised if you have a felony conviction. You may only lose your voting rights if you are incarcerated or on probation or parole—meaning that you would still have a chance to vote once you are out of prison and have served your probation or parole.

It is important to check with your local election office to see if you are still registered to vote. You can also check with your state’s department of corrections or probation and parole office.

Lastly, a felony means that you have been found guilty of a crime classified as a felony. A felony is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year.