You may think that it’s impossible to secure a job as a convicted felon, but it’s not impossible. We are not going to lie though. It can sometimes be more difficult for someone to find a job when there’s a felony conviction ready to pop up on their background check. A Blue Bell criminal defense lawyer from our firm can tell you more about what to expect and what kinds of resources could help you.
Can a Company Refuse to Hire a Convicted Felon?
An employer could subject you to a background check before they make a decision about hiring. This makes a lot of people nervous, but you should know two things. One, being a convicted felon does not necessarily mean that you cannot get the job. Two, lying about your past and having an employer find out about your background later is far worse than being honest upfront.
If a potential employer does see the felony conviction, they cannot decline to hire you solely because of that. However, if a crime could affect your suitability for employment then they can decide not to hire you. If you have a conviction for some kind of theft and apply for a job where you’ll be handling money and valuables, that can be a situation where your conviction interferes with an opportunity.
Can I Have My Record Expunged?
A good option for a convicted felon would be expungement. If you can get a conviction removed from your record, then it would not come up on a background check. Unfortunately, getting an expungement is difficult, especially for someone with felony convictions. It’s easier to get charges taken off of your record, but to do that you would have to win your case.
Do Any Programs Help a Convicted Felon With Job Hunting?
There is some good news though. Governments have begun to realize that convicted felons are less likely to go back to a life of crime if they get a job and become a functioning member of society. Because of this, the state may be able to help you secure a job after you have been released from prison. Some employers offer “second chance” programs in exchange for incentives from the state. Taking advantage of these reentry resources can make it easier to secure a job and become an upstanding citizen in the eyes of the law.
Talk to a Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are facing a felony charge, take it seriously and hire a lawyer who is ready to advocate for you. Contact Mudrick & Zucker to schedule a case consultation. We can tell you more about what our attorneys can do to help you fight a felony charge and potentially avoid ending up in a situation where you have to hunt for a job as a convicted felon.
