A conviction for a felony charge can have some serious consequences. This includes penalties ordered by the court, but there are also long-term consequences of a felony conviction.

After someone is convicted of a felony charge, the court can sentence him or her to jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation and more. Some people may think that once they have paid their debt to society through the sentence handed down by the court that the conviction is nothing more than a line on their criminal record. Here, however, are some of the other consequences from a felony conviction:

Employment

In some states, employers can ask you about your criminal background and perform an extensive background check. A felony conviction can make finding a job very difficult. It's not just the conviction, though. A survey by Bullhorn Research found that many employers will not hire those who have an unemployment period of two years or more. This is a common situation for those who have a criminal history.

Housing

Many landlords will not rent to someone with a criminal record. They want to know that the people who they rent to will not be trouble in the neighborhood or cause damage to their property. In many cases, the properties that are available to someone with a felony conviction will be located in high-crime areas or will be in substandard condition.

Voting

Depending on the state you live in, you may or may not be able to vote after a felony conviction. In 10 states, you may not vote ever again. In 20 states, the completion of incarceration, probation and parole is required first. In four states, the completion of incarceration and parole is required. In 14 states and the District of Columbia, completion of the prison sentence is required. In two states, there are no restrictions and you can vote while in prison.

A felony conviction can continue to make your life difficult, even after you have met all aspects of sentencing. This is just another reason why it is important to fight felony charges. An experienced attorney can help you work on building a strong defense to the charges.

Source: kleantreatmentcenters.com, "The Long-Term Consequences of a Drug Charge," Daniel Thompson, accessed Aug. 02, 2017