How Does Being a Convicted Felon Affect My Chances at Future Employment?

A felony is a serious charge. Any person who is facing a felony is subject to—at a minimum—one year in state prison. Of course, most felony charges carry the possibility of even more time behind bars. Further, they can follow you around for the rest of your life. The research is clear: A felony conviction can have adverse consequences for your employment prospects. Within this article, our Stuart criminal defense lawyer explains how a felony conviction can affect your employment opportunities in Florida.

What is a Felony?

Criminal charges are classified into two broad categories in our state: 1) Misdemeanors and 2) Felonies. A felony is a more serious charge. Under Florida law, a felony is defined as “any criminal offense that is punishable under the laws of this state, or that would be punishable if committed in this state, by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary.” Every felony charge in Florida carries the potential for at least one year in state prison if convicted. Notably, felony offenses come in a wide array of different forms, including violent crimes (such as aggravated assault, robbery, or murder) and financial crimes (such as wire fraud and grand theft.)

The Data is Clear: Job Applicants Will Felony Convictions Often Face Challenges

Comprehensive research has been conducted on the impact of a felony conviction, including its impact on future employment prospects. Notably, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) found that a felony criminal record “will keep many people from obtaining employment, even if they have paid their dues, are qualified for the job and are unlikely to reoffend.” Here are some specific reasons why a felony criminal conviction could hurt future career opportunities:

• Background Checks and Employment Screening: Many employers conduct criminal background checks as part of their hiring process. A felony conviction appearing on a background check can automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration—especially in industries that are highly regulated, such as finance, education, and healthcare. Further, some employers look very skeptically at job applicants with a serious criminal history.
• Legal Restrictions and Occupational Licensing: Certain felonies come with legal restrictions that bar individuals from obtaining professional licenses required in various fields. For example, a felony conviction can prevent a person from pursuing careers in law enforcement, education, and certain healthcare roles.
• Social Stigma and Employer Bias: The stigma associated with having a felony conviction can influence an employer’s decision-making process—even in cases where no formal policies exclude such candidates. Even if it is entirely unfair, a business or organization in Florida may perceive a person with felony records as untrustworthy or as posing a potential risk to the workplace. It can lead to bias in hiring decisions.

The barriers to employment that can come with a felony criminal conviction are a serious problem. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of a felony conviction on employment prospects can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and exclusion. It can even contribute to the risk of recidivism.

Avoiding a Felony Conviction on Your Record—When Possible—is Always Best

A felony conviction is something that should always be avoided. If possible, you will want to do whatever you can when raising your defense to keep a felony conviction off of your criminal record. Of course, that is not possible in every situation—such as if the prosecution has very strong evidence—but you need a Stuart, FL, criminal defense lawyer who can review the charges, investigate the allegations, and raise the best possible defense strategy.

Note: In Florida, it is possible to expunge certain types of criminal records. However, our state has some of the more restrictive expungement laws in the county. While a felony charge could potentially be expunged if the case was dropped, a felony conviction cannot be expunged. In other words, once a felony is on your record, it will stay on your criminal record.

Contact Our Stuart, FL Felony Criminal Defense Lawyer for Immediate Help

At The Law Office of Denise Miller, PA, our Florida criminal defense lawyer has the skills, knowledge, and legal expertise to take on even the most serious of felony charges. A conviction for a felony can adversely affect future employment opportunities. We strive to help clients get the absolute best outcome in their case. Get in touch with us by phone or contact us online for a fully private initial consultation. From our Stuart office, we defend felony charges throughout the wider region.