What can a felon not do in Florida?
Asked by: Stella Crooks | Last update: October 14, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (34 votes)
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 restrictions do felons have in Florida?
Losing the right to vote, especially after being convicted of a felony, eliminates the felon's ability to choose representatives who might change the laws that may have unfairly led to their conviction or incarceration. Loss of Right to Possess a Firearm — No convicted felon may possess a firearm in Florida.
How does a felony affect your life in Florida?
In conclusion, the consequences of being convicted of a felony in Florida are far-reaching and impactful. From incarceration to loss of civil rights to difficulties in finding employment and housing, individuals with felony convictions face numerous challenges as they work towards rebuilding their lives.
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Florida?
A felony conviction in Florida will typically remain on your record indefinitely. It does not automatically disappear or “fall off” after a certain period. However, under certain conditions, you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged, which can hide or remove the conviction from public view.
Can you get your gun rights back if you have a felony in Florida?
Felons can get their gun rights back or restored in Florida after eight (8) years. The 8 year waiting period begins when you have completed all imposed conditions sentences, and supervision has either expired or been completed.
Things You Can't Do If You're a Felon
Can my wife own a gun if I'm a felon in Florida?
No, a felon's spouse cannot own a gun in Florida. Under Florida Statute Section 790.23, a prosecutor can attempt to prove that you possessed a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic device or weapon through actual possession or constructive possession.
What felonies can be expunged in Florida?
Felonies Eligible for Expungement in Florida
Common ones include grand theft (3rd degree), possession of controlled substances, and certain types of fraud. Certain Drug Offenses: First-time drug possession offenses can often be expunged, especially if you've completed a drug court program.
How long does a felony show up on a background check in Florida?
Certain Florida background check records are subject to limitations under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA. According to the FCRA's “7-year rule,” for example, certain criminal records must be removed from an applicant's history after seven years.
What is the most common felony in Florida?
One of the most prevalent criminal charges in Florida is related to drug offenses. This category encompasses charges associated with the possession, sale, or trafficking of illegal drugs or controlled substances.
Can a felon buy a house in Florida?
Yes, convicted felons can own property. Federal laws do not prevent felons from doing so.
What's the worst felony?
A crime that's a Class A federal felony is the worst, with a maximum prison term of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A Class E federal felony involves a prison term of more than one year but less than five years and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Can a felon live in a house with a gun in Florida?
Yes, it is possible for you to live with a felon and a firearm in the same house. However, the convicted felon cannot possess the firearm. In Florida, there are two types of possession: actual and constructive. Actual possession is when someone has exclusive control or custody over the firearm.
Does being a felon affect your credit?
Although your criminal record doesn't directly impact your credit score, the financial burden that accompanies legal penalties can result in significant credit damage. Legal fees, court fines, restitution, and loss of income due to unemployment or incarceration can cause you to fall behind on payments.
What are you not allowed to do as a felon?
The rights most often curtailed include the right to vote and hold public office, employment rights, domestic rights, and financial and contractual rights. State statutes and local ordinances are the traditional means for abridging the rights of convicted criminals.
Can felons rent houses in Florida?
There Are No Criminal Record Usage Restrictions
Most Florida tenant screening services provide statewide and countywide access to criminal records, so landlords can view applicants' full criminal histories.
What kind of gun can a felon own in Florida?
In regard to use of firearms by felons: It is illegal in Florida for convicted felons to possess firearms, including muzzleloading guns, unless they have had their civil rights restored or the gun qualifies as an antique firearm under Florida statute 790.001(1).
What does having a felony prevent you from doing in Florida?
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 is the 3 felony rule in Florida?
Florida's “Three Strikes” law (also known as the 10-20-Life law) is outlined in Florida Statute 775.087. When a repeat violent offender commits a third crime after their initial release, a severe prison sentence for the third felony conviction becomes mandatory.
Can a felony be dropped in Florida?
Prosecutors in Florida have the discretion to allow felony charges be dropped: Lack of Evidence: If there's insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, prosecutors may choose to drop the charges rather than risk losing at trial.
Do felonies go away after 7 years?
Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.
What is a red flag on a background check?
A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.
What felonies disqualify you from getting a passport?
What felonies disqualify you from getting a passport: Cybercrime. Human trafficking. Federal drug charges, including trafficking, manufacturing, and selling drugs.
Does your criminal record clear after 7 years in Florida?
No, felonies in Florida do not automatically disappear after 7 years. Criminal records, including felonies, remain part of your public record unless they are sealed or expunged.
What is a life felony in Florida?
Life felonies are reserved only for serious crimes such as murder, rape, treason, human trafficking, or severe child abuse in certain cases.
How much does it cost to expunge a felony in Florida?
An expungement in Florida typically costs around $995, but can vary depending on attorney fees and the complexity of your case.