What are the effects of being a convicted felon?

Asked by: Julius Ankunding  |  Last update: February 10, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (49 votes)

A felony conviction carries severe, lasting consequences, significantly impacting employment (many jobs inaccessible), housing (landlord denial), voting rights (often revoked), firearm rights (prohibited), professional licenses (denied), and eligibility for government aid, student loans, or public housing, leading to long-term social stigma, financial hardship, and challenges in family matters like child custody, with effects persisting long after prison time.

What are the consequences of being a convicted felon?

On top of prison time, a felony conviction in California nearly always results in substantial fines, court fees, and restitution payments to victims. Fines for felony offenses can reach up to $10,000 or even more in some cases. You'll also likely have to pay additional fees and costs to the court related to your case.

Is your life ruined if you have a felony?

No, one felony will not ruin your life. It makes things a little harder like applying for certain jobs but you can still manage to be one of the most successful people on the planet.

What happens after you are charged with a felony?

After a defendant has been charged, the first step in the criminal court process is called the arraignment. Usually, this is the first time the defendant appears in court and is informed of the charges as well as offered legal representation if the defendant cannot afford to hire a private attorney.

Does being a felon affect your credit?

A felony conviction can place you at a significant disadvantage, leading to possible denials. Additionally, felonies impact your credit score negatively. If your felony involved financial crimes or fraud, the consequences on your creditworthiness are even more severe.

What happens WHEN YOU BECOME A CONVICTED FELON

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What are things a convicted felon cannot do?

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.
 

Is car insurance higher for felons?

Felony and car insurance FAQs:

Does a felony make car insurance go up? Yes — a felony can raise your car insurance rates, especially if it's driving-related, since insurers see it as higher risk. Felonies usually stay on your record permanently, but in some states you may qualify for expungement or record sealing.

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. 

What's the difference between being a felon and a convicted felon?

They're basically the same. To say "convicted felon" emphasizes that a person is not a felon until actually found (or admitted) guilty -- an arrest or just charges is not enough.

Why is a felony so bad?

An offender charged with felonies must take their criminal case very seriously. Under the relevant statute, the civil rights of convicted felons are revoked. This would mean that a convicted felon loses their right to vote, serve on a jury trial, and possess firearms.

What's the worst felony to get?

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). 

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.

Why is life so hard for a felon?

After being convicted of a felony, you could:

Lose your right to vote (although it may be restorable) Be unable to legally own or carry a firearm. Lose eligibility to serve on a jury. Face lasting stigma and social isolation.

What limits does a felon have?

Felons cannot vote, serve on a jury or own firearms. Employment opportunities may also be limited, and traveling abroad becomes more difficult.

How to get felony charges dropped?

The 5 most common ways to get a felony charge dropped are (1) to show a lack of probable cause, (2) to demonstrate a violation of your constitutional rights, (3) to accept a plea agreement, (4) to cooperate with law enforcement in another case, or (5) to enter a pretrial diversion program.

How does a convicted felon get a job?

Contact a community organization.

There are hundreds of local service providers across the country who specialize in helping people with a record find work. Different local service providers offer different services. Some place workers in jobs with local employers.

What can't you do if you're 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.
 

How to rebuild life after a felony?

How to Rebuild Your Life After a Criminal Conviction

  1. Navigating Legal and Practical Barriers. Understand the Legal Implications. ...
  2. Finding Employment After a Conviction. Be Honest About Your Past. ...
  3. Building Financial Stability. Start Small. ...
  4. Strengthening Personal Relationships. ...
  5. Pursuing Personal Growth. ...
  6. Staying Out of Trouble.

What is a better word for a felon?

There are better alternatives—alternatives that center a person's humanity first and foremost. These include “person who was convicted of a crime,” “person who is incarcerated,” “person convicted of a felony,” and “person seeking lawful status.” These words and phrases matter.

Can you live a normal life with a felony?

Additionally, it could be difficult to gain employment, which could lead to a number of issues, including not being able to secure proper housing or covering your basic expenses. It could also hurt your relationships with the people around you, who judge you based on the fact that you were convicted of a serious crime.

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. 

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.

What benefits can felons get?

While felony convictions create barriers, released individuals can still access crucial benefits like Social Security (SSI/SSDI), VA benefits, housing assistance, food support, job training, and reentry programs for housing, clothing, and mental health, often needing help applying before release for smoother transitions, especially for those with disabilities or veteran status. Eligibility depends on individual circumstances, work history, disability, and state programs, emphasizing pre-release planning for essential needs. 

Why can't felons have life insurance?

Life insurance companies do care about your criminal record for a variety of reasons. Insurance companies charge life insurance premiums based on perceived risk and a felony conviction is viewed as a sign of high risk.

What happens when you get convicted of a felony?

Under California law, a felony is a serious criminal offense that can result in imprisonment for more than one year. Felonies are considered more severe than misdemeanors and can have significant consequences, including loss of voting rights (while in prison), professional licenses, and the ability to own firearms.