Facing a felony charge in Texas can feel like your whole world is crashing down around you. Uncertainty about your future, fear of losing your freedom, and worries about how this will affect your family are all normal reactions to an incredibly stressful situation. At this moment, you likely feel overwhelmed by the legal system and are unsure of what comes next — how far do the consequences of a felony conviction go?
Unfortunately, pretty far. Texas is actually one of the worst states to be a felon in because it imposes some of the most severe penalties for felony convictions in the country. Some of the long-lasting consequences of a felony conviction in Texas can include:
- Incarceration and fines
- Loss of civil rights
- Employment challenges
- Housing restrictions
- Educational limitations
- Family impacts
- Travel restrictions
So what can you do? Your best bet is not to get charged in the first place, and if you haven’t been convicted, you can still fight for your freedom. To do that, you need the help of a skilled felony lawyer in Houston, like Mark Thiessen, founding attorney of Thiessen Law Firm. He knows the Texas legal system inside and out, and more importantly, can help you minimize the life-changing consequences of facing felony charges.
Call Thiessen Law Firm today at (713) 864-9000 or contact us online to discuss your case and protect your future.
Is your life ruined after a felony?
Before we get into the steep consequences of felony convictions, we should say that getting a felony doesn’t necessarily mean your life is over; while felony convictions create serious obstacles, many people go on to rebuild successful lives after being convicted for felony criminal charges.
The truth is, there are near infinite examples of Texans who have overcome their past and achieved success despite having a felony record. Countless people spending a lifetime on the Texas felons list have started their own businesses, found fulfilling careers in industries that encourage second chances, or gone on to become advocates for criminal justice reform.
The key is understanding your rights and options. While certain doors may close, others remain open, and new opportunities can emerge. Success often depends on having the right legal guidance from the beginning, understanding the restrictions you face, and knowing which paths forward are still available to you.
Now let’s talk about what happens if you get a felony in Texas.
1. Incarceration and fines
In Texas, fines vary by felony degree:
- First-degree felonies: Fines up to $10,000 and 5 – 99 years in prison
- Second-degree felonies: Fines up to $10,000 and 2 – 20 years in prison
- Third-degree felonies: Fines up to $10,000 and 2 – 10 years in prison
- State jail felonies: Fines up to $10,000 and 180 days to 2 years in state jail
One often unfamiliar aspect about Texas felony sentences is the concept of “stacked” versus “concurrent” sentences. While some states automatically run multiple charges concurrently (at the same time), Texas prosecutors can request sentence stacking, where each charge must be served consecutively.
This means a conviction on three separate third-degree felonies could result in up to 30 years instead of 10. Additionally, Texas’ “3G” offense designation for violent felonies requires serving at least half the sentence before becoming eligible for parole, a crucial detail that can dramatically affect your actual time served.
Learn more:
- Is aggravated assault a felony in Texas?
- Is burglary a felony in Texas?
- Is reckless driving a felony in Texas?
2. Loss of constitutional rights
When you receive a felony conviction in Texas, the impact on your constitutional rights is immediate and far-reaching. These restrictions affect not just your political participation but your fundamental rights as a citizen, creating barriers that can persist long after you’ve completed your sentence, including your right to:
- Vote
- Serve on a jury
- Own or possess firearms
- Hold certain professional licenses
- Receive federal benefits
Texas has some of the strictest civil rights restoration policies in the nation, and while hiring a skilled criminal attorney can’t restore all of your rights automatically, they can help you build a strong case, apply for orders of discharge, and help you apply for occupational licenses post-conviction.
3. Employment challenges
Finding employment with a felony record in Texas presents significant obstacles that can affect your career prospects for years to come. Almost all jobs run background checks on new applicants, and felony convictions can create significant barriers in almost every single employment field. Can a convicted felon get a car? Yes, though financing might be challenging without stable employment.
Many employers automatically screen out felony convictions, especially for positions involving:
- Financial sector positions
- Healthcare industry roles
- Government employment
- Security clearance positions
- Professional licensing opportunities
- Educational institution jobs
Continue reading: What does a background check show?
4. Housing restrictions
Finding safe and affordable housing with a felony conviction in Texas can become one of your most challenging obstacles. Many property owners and management companies have strict policies against renting to individuals with felony records, which can significantly limit your housing options and force you into unfortunate living situations.
However, Texas’ unique property laws actually provide some unexpected advantages for those with felony convictions. The state’s homestead exemption laws are among the most protective in the nation, making it possible for individuals with felonies to maintain ownership of their primary residence even through financial difficulties. Additionally, several Texas cities have implemented “second chance” housing programs that provide landlord incentives, including guaranteed rent and coverage for potential damages.
5. Educational limitations
A felony conviction can create significant barriers to advancing your education, affecting everything from enrollment to financial aid opportunities. Many educational institutions have specific policies regarding applicants with criminal records, which can cut short your academic future in several ways:
- Federal student aid restrictions for drug-related convictions
- Campus housing limitations
- Certain degree program restrictions
- Professional certification barriers
- Study abroad program restrictions
6. Family impacts
A felony conviction can strain family relationships and complicate legal family matters in ways that affect not just you, but your entire family network. The impact extends beyond immediate family relations to affect various aspects of family life and legal rights in areas like:
- Child custody and visitation limitations
- Adoption eligibility restrictions
- Immigration status complications
- Family insurance coverage issues
- Living arrangement restrictions
Fortunately, Texas courts have recently adopted a more nuanced approach to family cases involving felony convictions through the “best interest” modification standard. This framework allows for supervised visitation rights to begin during incarceration if deemed beneficial for the child, rather than automatically suspending all contact.
7. Travel restrictions
A felony conviction can severely limit your ability to travel, affecting both domestic and international movement.
Felony travel restrictions are complicated as a result of:
- Passport restrictions for drug trafficking convictions
- Many countries deny entry to felons
- Probation travel limitations
- Commercial driver restrictions
- Additional screening at borders
While these restrictions can seem overwhelming, there are steps you can take to navigate them. Seeking legal advice, understanding your specific travel limitations, and exploring state programs can help you regain some mobility and reduce the impact of a felony conviction on your ability to travel.
What are the disadvantages of being a felon?
Life with a felony conviction in Texas is like navigating a maze in which every turn presents a new obstacle. Some hurdles can be overcome with time and the right strategy, while others might need serious legal muscle to clear the way.
Beyond the major consequences we’ve discussed, additional disadvantages include:
- Difficulty obtaining loans and credit
- Challenges with insurance coverage and rates
- Limited ability to start certain types of businesses
- Restricted access to government contracts
- Complications with professional certifications
- Social stigma affecting personal relationships
- Barriers to military service
- Challenges in obtaining occupational licenses
- Restricted access to certain technology services
Each of these disadvantages can create a domino effect, where one restriction leads to complications in other areas of your life. For example, employment difficulties can lead to housing problems, which might affect custody arrangements.
The interconnected nature of these challenges makes it important to address them as quickly as possible, and with the help of a skilled trial attorney. The best thing that you can do is hire an attorney early who can protect you from felony charges before you’re convicted.
Continue reading: What is a trial attorney and why do you need one?
Thiessen Law Firm: your strongest advocate against a felony charge in Texas
The consequences of a felony conviction in Texas can cast a long shadow over your future, affecting everything from your freedom and constitutional rights to your ability to find housing and employment — but they don’t have to.
Mark Thiessen and the team at Thiessen Law Firm understand how much felony charges can upend your life and, more importantly, they know how to fight them. If you’re facing felony charges in Texas, such as a felony DWI, don’t wait until it’s too late to get the defense you deserve.
Call (713) 864-9000 or contact us online for a consultation that could make the difference between a conviction and a second chance at your future.
More Helpful Articles by Thiessen Law Firm:
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