Frederick Jace
If you have a felony on your criminal record, you probably want to be rid of it. It can impact your ability to land a job or gain access to basic goods and services that most people take for granted.
You might be surprised to learn that you actually can expunge a felony, and there are some fairly solid reasons to do so.
Let’s take a look at five of those reasons here.
Expunging a Felony
Before we start, can a felony be expunged? In short, yes. It depends on the nature of the felony and whether or not you believe you have been wrongly convicted.
People who have been convicted of non-violent felonies will have an easier time getting their felonies expunged. Each state has its own criteria and process for getting felonies expunged.
Take some time doing some research to find out how to expunge a felony in your state.
1. Getting a Job
It’s no secret that having a criminal record can make getting a job a difficult task. Some employers will automatically discard any applicants who have a felony on their record at the first stage of the application process.
Even if your application is not immediately rejected, likely, the employer will still approach your application with some degree of bias. Expunging a felony allows you to move forward in your job search without being held back by your record.
2. Getting a Loan
Banks and financial institutions are always wary of handing their money over to someone with a felony. They’re likely to view your criminal record and past conviction as a sign that you’re unstable and may be unable or unwilling to repay the loan.
Even if you do manage to get your loan application approved despite your felony, you’re likely to end up with a much higher interest rate than those without convictions, and so the loan may be unaffordable for you.
3. Education
Colleges and educational centers may deny your application based on your criminal record. If you were in the middle of an educational course before your felony conviction, there’s a chance that the school will have expelled you upon hearing of your conviction.
4. Work Licenses
If you’ve managed to get yourself a job or you’re looking to boost your work credentials, you might have difficulty obtaining certain professional licenses that allow you to get certain jobs or progress your career.
Things like nursing and teaching licenses will be incredibly difficult to obtain when you have a felony on your criminal record. If you’re looking at furthering your career with one of these licenses, then you’ll need to know how to get a felony expunged.
5. Getting Insurance
Insurance companies can be difficult to work with at the best of times. When you have a felony conviction, it’s much more difficult. Much like trying to score a loan, your felony conviction can signal to the insurance company that you’re a high risk and may decide against offering you any coverage.
Expunge a Felony to Put Your Life Back in Your Hands
Life with a felony is hard, especially if it’s one you have been wrongly convicted for. As you can see from the list above, it can impact your life in nearly every aspect and stand in the way of the process of rebuilding your livelihood after a conviction.
You can continue to struggle to jump through all the new hoops in your way if you wish, but the best thing you can do to get your life back is expunge a felony.
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