felons

Felon is a legal term referring to a person who has been convicted of a felony, a crime typically considered more serious than a misdemeanor. The precise definitions and penalties vary by jurisdiction, but felonies generally involve longer prison terms, higher fines, or both, and may include lasting civil consequences such as disqualification from holding public office or certain professional licenses.

Beyond the sentence, many jurisdictions impose collateral penalties that persist after release. These can affect voting rights, firearm ownership, employment prospects, housing, licensing, and access to public benefits. In some places, employers and schools may use conviction history in decisions, although laws in many regions restrict automatic discrimination and require individualized assessments.

Criminal records document felon status and can be accessed by background checks. Depending on jurisdiction, records may be sealed, expunged, or pardoned, which can restore some rights or reduce disclosure obligations. The process and scope of relief vary widely and may depend on the offense, time since conviction, and behavior since.

Reentry and rehabilitation programs seek to reduce recidivism by providing education and job training, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and supervision through parole or probation. Public policy debates focus on balancing accountability with opportunities for reintegration. Some jurisdictions have adopted reforms such as ban-the-box employment rules and limit certain automatic bars to employment or licensing, or provide automatic or expedited restoration of rights after a set period.

Globally, the concept of a felon and the consequences attached to conviction differ. In some countries, the term is not used, and penalties are structured differently. In the United States, the label 'felon' is common and frequently tied to extensive collateral consequences that extend beyond the punishment.