A felony conviction can have a major impact on a person’s life and can ruin their chances of securing gainful employment. The state of Florida classifies felonies as first, second or third degree, life or capital offense, which is the most serious resulting in life imprisonment or the death penalty may be imposed.
Consequences of a Conviction
Felonies can include non-violent crimes, such as theft or shoplifting. Under Florida law, some crimes categorized as misdemeanors can be upgraded to felonies. These are known as wobblers and can include fraud, vandalism, hit and run or embezzlement. A convicted felon may face the following consequences:
- Loss of civil rights, such as the right to vote
- Not eligible to serve in the military
- Cannot hold or run for public office
- Driver’s license may be suspended or revoked permanently
- Will be disqualified from serving on a jury
- May lose their professional license or permit
- Is not permitted to own a firearm
A person convicted under federal or state law involving possession or sale of a controlled substance will lose their eligibility for federal student aid. They may be able to regain eligibility after successfully completing a drug rehabilitation program or if the conviction is reversed or removed from their record.
Sentencing Guidelines
An individual charged with a felony in Florida will have a criminal score sheet prepared by the prosecution at the time of sentencing. This will determine the range the judge can impose for the offense. This is known as the “Determinate Sentencing” laws. The judge can sentence the person to the term of 2 years (low), 4 years (middle) or 6 years (high). The sentence is at the discretion of the judge and will take into account any mitigating or aggravating factors along with the severity of the crime.
Getting Your Record Expunged
One of the most serious problems in having a felony conviction on your record is that a prospective employer can easily find it. More employers are routinely running background checks on prospective employees. Some states allow you to have your record expunged, which means that the conviction will be removed from your record. The decision will be up to the court in which you were convicted and the process can take several months to more than a year.
Getting Help From an Attorney
Being charged with a serious crime can be a scary time in anyone’s life. If you are facing consequences such as a lengthy prison term, fines and possible conviction, it’s time to seek legal help. An experienced criminal defense attorney can obtain information regarding the charges and may even be able to have them reduced to a misdemeanor. Everyone has the right to seek a vigorous defense to have their rights defended.
