In New York, a felony charge is a serious issue and it can affect every aspect of your life. If you have been charged with a felony in this city, there are certain things you should know.
The rules are not the same in every state, so getting your life back together demands that you understand where New York stands with respect to ex-convicts.
Felonies are graded from classes A to E in New York. So if you commit an offense that is closer to class A, you’ll experience more difficulty in the job market.
With a felony conviction, you will lose some of your rights as a citizen. They include the following:
- The right to vote (also known as felony disenfranchisement)
- The right to bear firearms
- Exclusion from welfare
- No more federally funded housing privileges
- You may no longer sit as a juror
- And you won’t be able to get some operator licenses.
Though this looks bad, it does not end your road to a better life after conviction. There are job opportunities that will open doors for you as long as you show enough competence.
You can work anywhere and do any business you want in New York
Amidst all the shortcomings that result from being charged with a felony, you still have major rights in New York. There is no law that says felons can not get a job. In fact, companies are encouraged to give people a second chance after conviction.
In New York City, you can work for the state or even the federal government with a criminal record. So, even if you have lost certain rights, you are free to look for work in the largest corporations.
When you apply for a job, it is only normal for the company to carry out a background check on you. This policy is not exclusive to New York, as other states also do it to be sure of who they’re hiring.
Companies may ask if you have a criminal record and the nature of your conviction. After you answer, they will request permission to carry out a background check on you.
Depending on the company, this could take three days or even two weeks. They will check for misdemeanors as well as felonies, so it is best for you to be honest about them. If you refuse to grant permission for a background check, the employer has the right to disqualify you.
For felons that have an interest in entrepreneurship, there is no law that stops you from living that dream. You can own any business you want, and your criminal record will not affect the progress of your venture.
There is no automatic disqualification for any conviction, but you could be prohibited from some businesses because of licensing requirements.
So, it is advisable to start a business that has no relationship with the crime for which you were convicted.
