Can you work in Florida with a felony?
Asked by: Raina Donnelly II | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (63 votes)
Yes, Florida does hire felons, but it depends heavily on the job, the nature of the crime, and the time passed since the conviction, with public sector jobs allowing disqualification if the felony directly relates to the position, while many private employers and entry-level roles are more open to hiring individuals with felony records, especially in sectors like warehousing, food service, and construction.
Can a convicted felon get a job in Florida?
(1)(a) Except as provided in s. 775.16, a person may not be disqualified from employment by the state, any of its agencies or political subdivisions, or any municipality solely because of a prior conviction for a crime.
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.
Is Florida a felon-friendly state?
Florida law deprives convicted felons of certain Civil Rights including the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office, and restricts the issuance and renewal of some professional licenses such as real estate and insurance.
What can't a convicted felon do in Florida?
A felony conviction in Florida can strip away the basic rights you take for granted. You can lose the right to vote, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to own or possess a firearm. These aren't temporary punishments.
Can Felons Own Guns in Florida? 🚨 Fleming v. State Explained
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Florida?
No, a felony conviction in Florida does not automatically go away after 7 years; it generally stays on your record permanently and appears on background checks unless you take specific legal action like sealing, expungement (for eligible cases), or seek a pardon for civil rights restoration, though many serious felonies are ineligible for such relief. While some states have automatic removal, Florida requires you to actively seek record clearing, and some offenses (like violent crimes or those requiring sex offender registration) can never be sealed or expunged.
What are the disadvantages of being a felon?
10 Drawbacks of a Criminal Record
- Difficulty Securing Employment. ...
- Challenges in Finding Housing. ...
- Barriers to Education. ...
- Professional Licensing Issues. ...
- Restrictions on Firearm Ownership. ...
- Loan Application Denials. ...
- Child Custody Issues. ...
- Travel Restrictions & Immigration Problems.
Which state hires felons?
California has taken significant measures to alleviate the burden on individuals with criminal records. In 2018, they passed the Fair Chance Act, which prohibits employers with five or more employees from inquiring about a candidate's conviction history before making a job offer.
What is the 85% rule in Florida?
Florida's "85% Rule" is a truth-in-sentencing law requiring most inmates to serve a minimum of 85% of their imposed sentence before eligibility for release, even with good behavior credits ("gain time"), under the S.T.O.P. Act (Stop Turning Out Prisoners Act) passed in 1995, limiting early release for many offenses and increasing incarceration time.
Can felons get a passport in Florida?
In short, most felons can get a US passport, but the process is more complicated than for applicants with a clean record.
Is it hard to get a job if you are a felon?
Yes, getting a job with a felony conviction is often harder due to stigma, legal restrictions in certain fields (like education or healthcare), and employer policies, but it's not impossible; many people find work by targeting "fair chance" employers, understanding their record, highlighting relevant experience, and utilizing re-entry resources, though challenges remain.
What is the hardest background check to pass?
The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist.
Can you keep your job with a felony?
Today, many employers will immediately terminate an employee who is convicted of a felony. This is particularly true when an employee is convicted of a crime that is related directly to his/her job, or that reveals a moral problem/issue, such as a sex crime.
What jobs can you not do as a convicted felon?
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.
Do Amazon hire felons in Florida?
Individual circumstances are critical. Amazon does not exclude felons from applying or working for the company.
What jobs pay $40 an hour in Florida?
Jobs paying around $40/hour in Florida span skilled trades (electrician apprentice, HVAC), healthcare (nursing, vet tech, therapy), tech (installation, field service), logistics (truck driver, delivery), and specialized roles like Border Patrol or real estate sales, with many offering training for entry-level positions like garage door tech or pest control technician, often exceeding $40/hr with performance or bonuses.
What is the 10 day rule in Florida?
In Florida, the "10-Day Rule" primarily refers to the critical deadline after a DUI arrest to request a hearing with the DHSMV to contest an automatic driver's license suspension, preventing it from becoming permanent; otherwise, you only get a temporary permit for 10 days, after which the suspension takes effect, leading to potential hardship. It also touches on other time-sensitive actions after arrests or license issues, emphasizing quick legal responses to avoid harsher penalties.
Can I retire in Florida on $3,000 a month after?
Yes, retiring in Florida on $3,000 a month is possible but requires careful planning, choosing budget-friendly locations, and making lifestyle adjustments, focusing on cities outside expensive hubs like Miami, with areas like Lake Wales, Milton, Eustis, and Panama City offering lower costs for rent, groceries, utilities, and healthcare. Housing, particularly affordable rentals, will be your biggest budget factor, so targeting smaller towns or less popular regions is key to making it work comfortably, notes 55 Places, Tampa Bay 28, and vocal.media.
Who is a level 6 prisoner?
A "level 6 inmate" usually means the highest security classification, indicating maximum risk, often for violent offenders or serious escape risks, requiring constant supervision and restricted movement, though specifics vary by jurisdiction, sometimes also referring to the lowest level of work/pay (like in Western Australia) or a medium custody level (like Level 5/6 in some US states). It signifies an inmate needing the most control, potentially due to assaultive behavior, escape history, or brutal crimes, not fitting into lower security tiers.
What jobs hire felons in Florida?
Felons in Florida can find jobs in construction, landscaping, warehousing, fast food, and transportation, with companies often hiring for general labor, pick/pack, and driver roles, but specific opportunities vary by offense and time since conviction. Resources like Honest Jobs connect you with employers known to hire people with records, while platforms like Indeed and ZipRecruiter list roles in Florida, often with filters for "felony friendly" searches. Trucking companies, general labor roles, and some local businesses are good starting points, often seeking trainable individuals for physically demanding work.
How long does a felony stay on your record in the USA?
A felony conviction typically stays on your U.S. criminal record indefinitely, creating a permanent history, but specific states offer remedies like expungement or sealing after waiting periods (often 7+ years) and meeting strict criteria, though serious or violent felonies are often ineligible. Options depend heavily on your state, the crime's severity, and your behavior since, with some "Clean Slate" laws automatically sealing records.
What jobs are felons most likely to get?
12 highest-paying jobs for people with criminal records
- Digital marketer. ...
- Freelance designer. ...
- Painter. ...
- Maintenance worker. ...
- Entrepreneur. ...
- Web developer. ...
- Truck driver. ...
- Barber.
Can a felony ruin your life?
A felony conviction doesn't automatically "ruin" a life but creates significant, long-lasting barriers in employment, housing, education, finances, and civil rights, making life much harder, though outcomes vary greatly by the crime, jurisdiction, and individual resilience, with many people rebuilding successful lives despite these challenges.
What is the best treatment for a felon?
Mild finger infections may be treated with antibiotics alone. You also may soak your finger in warm water. If the infection is deeper or there is a lot of pus, the doctor may open the area to drain the pus. This is sometimes done in an operating room.
Is my life over if I'm a felon?
The truth is, even a single felony conviction can drastically affect your life, often for years after you've served your sentence. Unlike misdemeanors, felonies carry the weight of long-term legal, financial, and personal repercussions.