A competent criminal justice attorney is vital to ensure you receive the most lenient and fair sentence possible when you are convicted of a felony. This is because once you are convicted, several of your rights as a citizen may be impacted. We’ve listed a few of the primary ones below.

GUN OWNERSHIP

Under the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution, the right of the American people to keep and bear arms “shall not be infringed.” However, when you are convicted of a felony, this constitutional right is jeopardized, both at the federal and the state level. If you are convicted or indicted of a felony, you will be unable to sell or dispose of ammunition or firearms, and you’ll also be prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law. In terms of state-specific restrictions, you may be prohibited from possessing a firearm or receiving a firearm license.

VOTING PRIVILEGES

Eligibility to vote in our country’s elections is determined by both federal and state laws. Thanks to the Constitution, we all have the right to register to vote if we:

• Are a U.S. citizen
• Are 18 years old
• Have been at our present address for at least 30 days
• Are not in jail or on parole for a felony conviction
• Are not registered to vote elsewhere

Under state law, when you are convicted of a felony in New York, you are disqualified from voting while in prison or on parole. Once your parole period has been satisfied, the state automatically reinstates your right to vote.

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT

Regardless of what your occupation is, when you receive a felony conviction, there are likely to be significant consequences. The specific ramifications may vary depending on your occupation and the nature of the felony charges. For example, if you are an employe of the United States government and you receive a felony conviction for inciting or organizing a riot or civil disorder, it is very likely that you will be removed from federal office and declared ineligible for government employment for five years. Additionally, if you have a felony conviction on your record, you’ll also be ineligible to enlist and serve in any armed forces position unless you receive a special exception.

FAMILY RIGHTS

When it comes to deciding how many children you want to have and who you want to marry, most people don’t like to have any type of restrictions imposed on them. However, if you are convicted of a felony, some of these privileges may be in jeopardy. For example, in New York, a life sentence can render you “civilly dead” and unable to marry while serving your time. If you are married at the time of conviction, a sentence greater than three years is considered eligible grounds for an at-fault divorce in New York. It’s also likely that the state may seek termination of your parental rights or your future right to adopt a child.