What does having a felony prevent you from doing in Florida?
Asked by: Cyrus Runte | Last update: June 14, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (27 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.
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.
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 you get a job in Florida with a felony?
However, a person may be denied employment by the state, any of its agencies or political subdivisions, or any municipality by reason of the prior conviction for a crime if the crime was a felony or first-degree misdemeanor and directly related to the position of employment sought.
What are the disadvantages of being a convicted felon?
- You can't travel, but you also can't find a home. ...
- You can't vote. ...
- You can't serve on a jury. ...
- You can't get public benefits. ...
- You can't get a job.
What Does Having A Felony Prevent You From Doing? - CountyOffice.org
What rights do felons lose 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.
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.
Does a felony ever go away 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.
Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?
Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.
What jobs disqualify felons?
They're typically restricted from credentials for occupations in the Department of Public Health's jurisdiction or in real estate, the distribution of drugs or pharmaceuticals, pest control, embalming and insurance sales.
Does having a felony affect buying a house?
Yes, someone with a felony history can get a mortgage loan. In fact, formerly incarcerated felons can access the same types of home loans that anyone without a criminal history can. However, you might find the most favorable pathway to approval is through mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
What is felon friendly?
Jobs that are felony friendly include a variety of positions in fields like delivery, retail, the service industry, landscaping, gardening, and community outreach and service positions.
Why do places not hire felons?
Employers' reluctance to hire such individuals may be prompted by law or by fear of litigation. Some occupations, such as those involving contact with children, are legally closed to people with felony convictions.
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.
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.
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 is the 7 year rule?
The 7 year rule
No tax is due on any gifts you give if you live for 7 years after giving them - unless the gift is part of a trust. This is known as the 7 year rule.
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.
Can you pass a level 2 background check with a felony?
Potentially disqualifying offenses for a Level 2 background check include serious criminal convictions such as violent crimes like murder, assault, and kidnapping; sexual offenses like sexual assault and child molestation; and major drug-related crimes such as drug trafficking and drug manufacturing.
What felonies cannot be expunged in Florida?
- Arson.
- Aggravated Assault.
- Aggravated Battery.
- Illegal use of explosives.
- Child abuse or Aggravated Child Abuse.
- Abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult, or aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult.
- Aircraft piracy.
- Kidnapping.
Does Florida follow the 7 year rule?
Origin and Reality of the Seven-Year Rule
However, this federal law does not apply to criminal convictions, which in Florida, remain on a person's record indefinitely.
Is Florida a felon friendly state?
In Florida about 1.6 million people are disenfranchised because of a current or previous felony conviction, over 10% of the voting age citizens, including the 774,000 disenfranchised only because of outstanding financial obligations.
Does a felony stay with you for life?
A felony will stay on your record forever in California unless you choose to take action and get the conviction removed. This is called the “expungement process” and generally requires the help of a legal representative to get underway.
Can you get a passport with a felony?
Most convicted felons in the US can obtain a passport after completing their sentence. That said, certain felony convictions can still disqualify you from getting a passport. Other reasons for being denied a US passport include failing to pay child support or having significant outstanding federal tax debts.
Can you get a job with a felony?
A company may hire ex-offenders, but they may have a policy of terminating anyone for lying on their job application. It is up to you whether you tell an employer about your convictions. But, we believe that honesty is the best policy. Our experience shows that HOW you communicate this information makes the difference.