How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record?
April 11, 2025 | Nafiz M. Ahmed
When it comes to the categorization of crimes, felonies are the most serious type of crime. If convicted, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. In most cases, a felony conviction will remain on your record permanently. However, experienced attorneys understand the legal options that may be available—such as expungement or record sealing—and can help you explore whether you qualify.
How Does a Felony Affect Your Life After Conviction?
Unless you act to evaluate your particular circumstances, a felony conviction will most often be visible on your criminal record for the rest of your life. The lifetime attachment is intended to let people who may be interested in your criminal history know that you were convicted of a serious crime. In California, you may be wondering about how your criminal record applies in several common circumstances.
Applying for Housing
While a landlord cannot depend on any findings of convictions to deny you housing, they are permitted to check your criminal history during the application process. However, they may not automatically reject you solely based on a felony.
Applying for a Job
Before making a tentative job offer to you, employers generally cannot ask about your criminal history. Further, the employer cannot rescind that offer without analyzing any criminal record entries specific to the time and nature of the crime as it may apply to the employment. This means that a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify you.
Applying for Certain Licenses
A background review is required for licensure in insurance sales. Due to the financial nature of the insurance business, a criminal record, including acts of dishonesty or other violations of public trust, will generally prevent approval of a license. However, some licenses may still be attainable after specific waiting periods or rehabilitation efforts.
Removing a Felony From Your Record
As with most things in life, nothing is certain, and there is a possibility of having your felony conviction removed from your record. One option is expungement, which in California is not a full removal from your record of the conviction, but it shows the charges as dismissed. In California:
- You cannot be serving a probationary period or be under the observation of a parole officer at the time of your application for expungement.
- Time served in state prison generally prevents you from having your record expunged.
- Maintain a clean record.
Additionally, any pending charges against you when you apply for expungement will likely lead to a denial of your application.
Record Sealing
In California, record sealing is an alternative to expungement. When a record is sealed, it’s no longer accessible to the public, making it easier to secure employment or housing. However, law enforcement and some licensing agencies may still be able to view it. Although a sealed record doesn’t erase the conviction, it significantly limits who can access the information. This can be an important step for those looking to move forward in life after a felony conviction.
To be eligible for record sealing, you must have completed your sentence and show evidence of rehabilitation. However, not all convictions qualify. For example, sex offenses and serious violent felonies are usually ineligible for sealing. Sealing a record requires filing a petition with the court, which will consider factors like your conduct since the conviction and the nature of the offense.
Other Options to Remove a Felony Conviction
In July 2023, California passed a law that removes most felony convictions from your record after four years. The catch is that you cannot have any additional criminal charges during those four years. Further, if you are arrested but not charged with a felony, the record of that arrest will disappear from your record after three years.After seven years have passed, California requires that criminal convictions on your record generally be removed from reports for purposes of seeking employment. However, none of these opportunities to clean your record are certain, and there are limitations on each of them. Sex offenses, for example, are generally ineligible for these changes.
Contact our Criminal Defense Law Firm of Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys Today For Help
For more information please contact our criminal defense law firm of Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys at the nearest location for a free consultation.
Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys – San Jose Office
1625 The Alameda, Suite 405, San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 217-8818
Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys – Redwood City Office
600 Allerton St Suite 201G, Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 299-0500