Can two felons live in the same house?

Asked by: Prof. Garrett Wisoky II  |  Last update: February 4, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (2 votes)

Yes, two felons can often live in the same house, but it depends heavily on their parole/probation conditions; if either is on supervision, they likely need permission from their probation officer (PO) to live together, as rules often forbid associating with other felons, though exceptions (like for family or marriage) are sometimes granted. If both have completed their sentences and are off supervision, it's generally legal, but they must still navigate landlord rules, which can discriminate based on criminal history.

Can two convicted felons live in the same house?

Parolees and probationers are subject to a long list of conditions imposed by a court or parole board. Those conditions commonly include an order to stay away from other convicted felons. Such a mandate ordinarily forbids any sort of association, socialization, cohabitation and romantic involvement with other felons.

Can a felon live in my house if I have guns?

If you live with a felon, make sure they don't have access to your guns, or you could face criminal penalties. If you are charged with aiding or abetting a felon to get possession of a firearm, talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

What is the co felon rule?

Liability of Co-Felons for Felony Murder

The general rule for felony murder in many jurisdictions is that if one defendant kills a victim during the commission or attempted commission of a specified felony, all defendants involved in the felony are guilty of felony murder (State v.

What are the restrictions on a convicted felon?

A felony conviction in California leads to the loss of critical rights. Felons cannot vote, serve on a jury or own firearms. Employment opportunities may also be limited, and traveling abroad becomes more difficult. California does not have as many restrictions on convicts' constitutional rights as other states.

Can a FELON live in same house as a FIREARM?

28 related questions found

What jobs can a felon not do?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

What's worse, felony 1 or felony 3?

A first-degree felony is significantly worse than a third-degree felony, representing the most serious level of felony crimes, often involving severe violence or premeditation, while third-degree felonies are less severe but still carry substantial penalties, with specific punishments varying by state, but generally involving years in prison. In most jurisdictions, the numbering goes from 1 (most serious) down to 3 or 4 (less serious felonies). 

Can convicted felons be friends?

Standard Condition Language. You must not communicate or interact with someone you know is engaged in criminal activity. If you know someone has been convicted of a felony, you must not knowingly communicate or interact with that person without first getting the permission of the probation officer.

Can a felon be around a felon?

Probation would not approve such arrangements, and violations could occur for the latter. If on unsupervised probation, this is unlikely to pose an issue since there is no one to report to; however, if under supervised probation, avoiding other felons would be mandatory.

How many years is a felony in the US?

As explained above, felony is still defined today in American jurisprudence in consequentialist terms, as any crime punishable by more than a year in prison. It is defined not in terms of the criminal act itself, but by how the law responds to that act.

Where can I live if I have a felony?

Renting from Smaller, Private Landlords.

People with criminal backgrounds often have more luck renting from small landlords, who might only own a few properties and thus have a more personal relationship to their tenants.

Do I have to tell my landlord I have a gun?

“Most states have not made a decision whether or not to attempt to prohibit the constitutional rights of a citizen who wants to have a weapon in their rental unit for their own protection. What that means is that leaves it up to the private landlord to make a decision about their own property,” he said.

Can a felon live in the same house with a gun?

Under the doctrine of “constructive possession,” a felon can be convicted for firearms they never touched – as long as they knew the guns were present and had the ability to exercise control over them. 96.9% of felons convicted under this law get sentenced to prison.

Can landlords refuse to rent to felons?

Quick Answer: Yes, but with strict limitations. California landlords may consider criminal convictions during the tenant screening process, but overly broad or inconsistent rental criminal background check policies can violate housing laws.

Can two felons be in a relationship?

Generally, there are no specific laws prohibiting felons from dating each other. However, certain conditions like parole or probation may impose restrictions on associations or contact with other felons. It is important to review any court-ordered terms or supervision conditions that might limit interactions.

What are you not allowed to do as a felon?

Felons often lose rights to vote, own firearms, and serve on juries, face significant employment and housing barriers, and may be ineligible for certain public benefits, professional licenses, student aid, or military service, with specific restrictions varying greatly by state and conviction, though many rights can potentially be restored through pardons or expungements.
 

Can you lose custody for dating a felon?

Dating someone with a felony conviction doesn't automatically mean you will lose custody, but it can complicate the case. The judge will need to carefully weigh the potential consequences of this relationship on the child's well-being.

Is $500 considered a felony?

Theft can escalate from a misdemeanor to a felony based on the value of the stolen property. This distinction carries significant legal implications and penalties. Each state sets its own threshold for what constitutes felony theft. These thresholds can range from $500 to $2,500, depending on local laws.

Does being a convicted felon stay with you for life?

A felony conviction stays on your criminal record permanently in California, unless you're able to get it dismissed or sealed through a legal process. This means that any time someone runs a background check on you – such as an employer, landlord, or lender – your felony conviction will show up.

What is the rule 43 in jail?

In the UK prison system, Prison Rule 43 allows for the segregation of inmates for their own protection (e.g., vulnerable prisoners like sex offenders) or for prison discipline, moving them to separate units where conditions can be harsh, with reduced association, recreation, and access to property, though it's intended to be a safeguard against violence and often involves solitary conditions, raising concerns about isolation and stigmatization. There's also a US Federal Rule 43 concerning a defendant's presence in court, but the prison context points to the UK rule.
 

What jobs are off limits to felons?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

What's the worst kind of felony?

The "worst" felony is typically a Capital Felony, often defined as premeditated murder, treason, or espionage, carrying penalties of life imprisonment or the death penalty, though federal systems classify the most severe as Class A felonies, which also include murder, terrorism, and large-scale drug trafficking, punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. Specifics vary by state, but generally, the most serious crimes (like first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault, arson causing death) fall into the highest categories (Class A, First Degree, Capital). 

How bad is a level 5 felony?

A felony 5 (or Class 5) is a mid-to-low-level felony, more serious than a misdemeanor but less severe than higher-class felonies, carrying prison time (often 1-3 years, but varies by state), significant fines, and permanent felony record consequences like loss of voting rights or gun rights, though it's usually not convertible to a misdemeanor like some lower-level felonies. Penalties and specific crimes vary by state (e.g., Arizona, Ohio, Virginia, Colorado), but it's a substantial conviction.
 

What felony has the least amount of jail time?

Non-violent felonies: These offenses typically carry lighter penalties compared to violent crimes. The minimum sentence for non-violent felonies can start from 16 months in state prison. Crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, or simple drug possession often fall under this category.