How long do a felony stay on your record?

How Long Do a Felony Stay on Your Record?

When you’re convicted of a felony, it can have a significant impact on your life. Not only can it lead to imprisonment and fines, but it can also affect your ability to find employment, housing, and even education opportunities. One of the most common questions people ask is how long a felony stays on their record. In this article, we’ll provide a direct answer to that question and explore the different factors that can affect the length of time a felony stays on your record.

How Long Do Felonies Stay on Your Record?

The length of time a felony stays on your record varies depending on the state and the type of felony you’ve been convicted of. In general, felonies can stay on your record for anywhere from 5 to 10 years, although in some cases, they can stay on your record for up to 20 years or even a lifetime.

Types of Felonies and Their Effect on Your Record

Not all felonies are created equal. The type of felony you’ve been convicted of can affect the length of time it stays on your record. Here are some examples:

• Misdemeanor vs. Felony: If you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor, it will typically stay on your record for 5-7 years. If you’ve been convicted of a felony, it will typically stay on your record for 10-20 years or even a lifetime.
• Non-Violent vs. Violent Felonies: Non-violent felonies, such as drug-related offenses or property crimes, may stay on your record for 5-10 years. Violent felonies, such as assault or murder, may stay on your record for 10-20 years or even a lifetime.
• Felony vs. Misdemeanor-Misdemeanor: If you’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor-misdemeanor, it will typically stay on your record for 5-7 years. If you’ve been convicted of a felony, it will typically stay on your record for 10-20 years or even a lifetime.

Factors That Can Affect the Length of Time a Felony Stays on Your Record

In addition to the type of felony you’ve been convicted of, there are several other factors that can affect the length of time it stays on your record. Here are some examples:

• State Laws: Different states have different laws regarding the length of time a felony stays on your record. Some states may have laws that allow felons to have their records expunged after a certain period of time, while others may not.
• Type of Punishment: The type of punishment you received can also affect the length of time a felony stays on your record. For example, if you were sentenced to probation, your record may be expunged sooner than if you were sentenced to prison.
• Time Served: The amount of time you served in prison can also affect the length of time a felony stays on your record. If you served a shorter sentence, your record may be expunged sooner than if you served a longer sentence.
• Behavior: Your behavior after your conviction can also affect the length of time a felony stays on your record. If you’ve been law-abiding and haven’t committed any other crimes, your record may be expunged sooner than if you’ve continued to commit crimes.

Consequences of a Felony on Your Record

A felony on your record can have significant consequences, including:

• Employment Opportunities: Many employers run background checks on potential employees, and a felony on your record can make it difficult to find employment.
• Housing Opportunities: A felony on your record can also make it difficult to find housing, as many landlords run background checks on potential tenants.
• Education Opportunities: A felony on your record can also affect your ability to find education opportunities, as many schools and universities require background checks on students.
• Voting Rights: In some states, a felony conviction can lead to the loss of voting rights.

Expungement and Sealing of Felony Records

In some cases, it may be possible to have your felony record expunged or sealed. This means that the record will be removed from your criminal history and will not be available to the public. Here are some benefits of expungement and sealing:

• Improved Job Prospects: Having a felony record expunged or sealed can improve your job prospects, as many employers will not be able to see your criminal history.
• Improved Housing Opportunities: Having a felony record expunged or sealed can also improve your housing opportunities, as many landlords will not be able to see your criminal history.
• Improved Education Opportunities: Having a felony record expunged or sealed can also improve your education opportunities, as many schools and universities will not be able to see your criminal history.
• Restored Voting Rights: In some states, having a felony record expunged or sealed can restore your voting rights.

Conclusion

A felony on your record can have significant consequences, including difficulty finding employment, housing, and education opportunities. However, in some cases, it may be possible to have your felony record expunged or sealed, which can improve your job prospects, housing opportunities, and education opportunities. The length of time a felony stays on your record varies depending on the state and the type of felony you’ve been convicted of, and it’s important to consult with a legal professional to understand the specific laws and regulations in your state.

Table: Felony Length of Stay on Record

Bullets:

• A felony on your record can stay on your record for anywhere from 5 to 20 years or even a lifetime.
• The type of felony you’ve been convicted of can affect the length of time it stays on your record.
• Non-violent felonies may stay on your record for 5-10 years, while violent felonies may stay on your record for 10-20 years or even a lifetime.
• Factors such as state laws, type of punishment, time served, and behavior can affect the length of time a felony stays on your record.
• Having a felony record expunged or sealed can improve your job prospects, housing opportunities, and education opportunities.