Having a felony on your record can be extremely detrimental to potential job prospects. Many ex-felons have a difficult time re-entering the workforce as many companies turn down those who have been convicted of a felony. Fortunately, many states offer remedies from expungement, setting aside the conviction, vacating a conviction, sealing the record and offering Certificates of Rehabilitation. Your past does not have to hold you back.
A felony offense is typically defined as an offense that can carry a punishment of one year or more. In the real world it means an offense that can prevent a person from getting a good job or quality housing for a lifetime. Many states provide ways to expunge a felony or take other steps to mitigate what would otherwise be a permanent problem.
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A common question asked to expungement attorneys is "do I need to disclose my old criminal record when I apply for a job."
The answer to this question is almost always yes. The only time it would be no is if the employer asked for convictions within a certain time period, such as within the last 10 years. A few employers do not concern themselves with convictions that are more than 7 or 10 years old, but most want the complete story.
And in general, the better the job, the more detail the employer wants about the applicant's criminal record. So, expungement of an old criminal record is usually a great investment. Expungement of a recent record makes even more sense because (1) the more recent the felony or misdemeanor is, the great the concern will be to the employer and (2) getting a recent conviction expunged will minimize the long-term affects sooner rather than later.
Not all cases can be sealed or expunged. It is best to speak with an attorney who specializes in record clearing or a criminal defense lawyer.
Choosing the wrong attorney to expunge your felony can cost you your only chance of successfully expunging your felony conviction. When choosing a felony expungement attorney, make certain they specialize in expungement. While any licensed attorney can represent you in court, choosing a specialized expungement attorney can make the difference when it comes to having your felony expunged.
Expungement of your felony record has endless benefits and opens you up to new employment opportunities. Once your felony is expunged, you can stop fearing the background checks and can apply for any job or professional license with confidence. The internet has made background checks accessible to all employers and landlords. Accurate history can be obatined fast and inexpensively. The post 9-11 world increasingly requires people to perform background checks to protect themselves from liability and to fulfill insurance requirements. While choosing to have your felony expunged may have required thought in 1993, it is a now a no brainer. Anyone eligible forfelony expungement or record sealing should find a way to make that important investment in themself. If your felony record has been holding you back, then it's time to seek a qualified expungement attorney.
In some states, such a California and Utah, you can have your felony record reduced to a misdemeanor. This step alone can reduce the harmful consqeunces of a felony record. It can also make it easier to have your felony expunged.
