Facing a felony conviction in Texas means grappling with consequences that extend far beyond a courtroom. For many, the real challenges begin after a case ends—impacting employment, housing, family, and even basic rights. At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we understand that every detail of your future is on the line. Our in-depth guide explains the long-term impacts of felony convictions in Texas, answers real questions, and points the way toward strategies for preserving your rights and rebuilding toward a better tomorrow.
What Are the Most Common Felony Convictions in Texas & How Are They Classified?
Felonies in Texas are divided into distinct categories according to the Texas Penal Code, each carrying different ranges of penalties and long-term effects. The primary classifications are state jail felonies, third-degree felonies, second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, and capital felonies. Each level is defined by the seriousness of the offense and the potential for prison sentences, fines, and other lasting consequences. For example, a state jail felony might involve certain drug offenses or property crimes with punishment ranging from 180 days to two years in a state jail, while first-degree felonies—such as aggravated robbery—can result in five to 99 years in prison or even life.
Some of the most frequent felony charges in Texas include aggravated assault, burglary, certain types of theft or fraud involving high-value property, felony DWI (repeated offenses), and drug possession or trafficking above state-defined thresholds. Crimes involving violence or weapons, sexual offenses, and specific forms of white-collar crime also commonly appear as felonies under state law. It is crucial to recognize that every charge is unique and that legal defenses depend on the specific evidence, prior record, and circumstances surrounding the case.
At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we review every aspect of a client’s charges to determine which felony class applies, possible defenses that may be available, and the full scope of how a conviction could impact your life down the line. Understanding felony classifications is the first step in making informed decisions, whether you are facing charges or advising a loved one about their options in the Texas criminal justice system.
How Does a Felony Conviction Impact Employment Opportunities & Professional Licenses in Texas?
A felony conviction in Texas can shape a person’s professional life for years, or even an entire career. Most employers run criminal background checks, and a felony on your record can make it difficult to find work. While state law restricts public employers from inquiring about criminal history on job applications (“ban the box”), private employers are free to set their own standards—often resulting in additional scrutiny or outright rejection if a background check reveals a conviction.
Industries such as healthcare, law enforcement, financial services, and education tend to have strict prohibitions on employing individuals with felony convictions. In addition, Texas licensing boards hold broad discretion to deny, suspend, or revoke professional licenses for dozens of professions, including teaching, medical fields, accounting, plumbing, real estate, and more. Many licensing boards will weigh factors like the nature of the felony, time since conviction, proof of rehabilitation, and how closely the offense relates to the profession in question.
It’s not unusual for people with felony convictions to feel discouraged when seeking work or reapplying for professional licenses. However, practical steps can help rebuild your career, such as:
- Researching employers with second-chance or fair-chance policies
- Preparing honest, concise explanations for background checks and interviews
- Seeking training or reentry programs designed for those with records
- Pursuing legal remedies where possible for record sealing or non-disclosure
Can Felony Convictions in Texas Take Away Your Voting Rights or Ability to Hold Office?
Texas law restricts voting rights for those with a felony conviction, but there is a path to restoration. If you are convicted of a felony, you will lose your right to vote until you have fully finished your sentence—including parole, probation, or any form of community supervision. This restriction is temporary, and your rights are reinstated once all sentence requirements are completed. However, you must proactively re-register to vote; the state will not automatically update your status.
The ability to run for or hold public office involves different standards. Most individuals convicted of a felony cannot hold public office in Texas unless they have been fully pardoned or otherwise relieved of legal disabilities through a process with the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles. Pardons are rare and difficult to obtain, requiring a detailed application and a clear demonstration of rehabilitation and public benefit. Without one, even after sentence completion, you remain ineligible for most elected or appointed public roles.
Understanding how a felony impacts your civic participation is crucial. Our team at Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. stays up-to-date with Texas election and pardon laws, guiding clients through restoration of voting rights, and in rare situations, assisting those seeking to regain eligibility for public office or other leadership roles.
Are Felony Convictions Public Record in Texas & Who Can Access Them?
In Texas, felony convictions create a public criminal record that can be accessed by a wide range of parties. These records are maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety and are often resold by third-party background check companies. Anyone performing a criminal background check—such as employers, landlords, licensing agencies, schools, and sometimes even neighbors—can find out if you have a felony conviction.
This openness can make daily life difficult. Rental agencies, higher education institutions, and volunteer organizations may deny applications based on a conviction, regardless of how long ago it occurred. In some cases, records can remain accessible online for many years, and even dismissed charges or completed deferred adjudications may still appear depending on how records are reported. There are certain protections for juvenile records or specific non-disclosure orders, but for most adult felony convictions, public access is the norm.
Because record availability varies and private companies aren’t always required to update their files, people often encounter surprises during background checks. At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we strategize to address these challenges—whether it means helping you seek record-sealing, clarifying misunderstood records, or advising on disclosure when background checks arise.
How Do Felony Convictions Impact Housing & Access to Loans in Texas?
Finding stable housing with a felony conviction in Texas can be a major hurdle. Most landlords and management companies conduct background screenings and often reject applicants with felony convictions, especially for offenses related to violence or drugs. The Texas Property Code gives landlords significant discretion, allowing them to base rental decisions on criminal history without statewide protections for people with past convictions.
Federal housing policies also have strict rules for applicants with felonies. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) excludes individuals convicted of certain violent or drug-related felonies—sometimes for life—from receiving public housing assistance. Private lenders may heavily weigh criminal records when reviewing mortgage or home loan applications, viewing them as a risk factor. This can complicate efforts to buy a home or build credit for the future.
Individuals navigating housing and lending barriers should consider the following:
- Seeking out “second-chance” or reentry-friendly housing providers
- Building strong rental and employment references
- Gathering documentation of rehabilitation or completion of sentence
- Working with advocacy groups trained in fair housing issues
What Happens to Your Gun Rights After a Felony Conviction in Texas?
Both Texas and federal law impose heavy restrictions on gun ownership after a felony conviction. In Texas, an individual convicted of a felony is prohibited from possessing a firearm until at least five years after completing their sentence, parole, or supervision. Even after this period, Texas law permits firearm possession only at the person's residence—not in public or for concealed carry.
Federal law, however, is even stricter. Under federal statutes, individuals with felony convictions are permanently barred from possessing, shipping, receiving, or transporting firearms or ammunition. There are very few exceptions, and violations can lead to further felony charges at the federal level. The only way to fully restore lost gun rights is through a gubernatorial pardon or other rare forms of legal relief, as federal authorities do not recognize most state-based restorations.
Anyone with a felony record should be extremely cautious about gun ownership. If you have questions about your status or eligibility, or if you’re considering a petition for restoration, our team at Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. explains the law thoroughly and helps you avoid actions that could result in new charges.
Can Felony Convictions Be Expunged or Sealed in Texas?
In Texas, opportunities to seal or expunge felony convictions are extremely limited. Expunction—the process of erasing a record entirely—is generally reserved for cases where charges were dismissed, dropped, or acquitted, or for certain pardoned offenses. Actual felony convictions are generally not eligible for expunction under Texas law.
The other remedy is an order of non-disclosure, sometimes called record sealing. This is available mainly for certain cases that ended in deferred adjudication and were successfully completed, not for convictions resulting in a finding of guilt. Eligibility depends on the type of offense, compliance with all court orders, and waiting periods that can vary from two years to more than five years after case resolution. The process involves strict deadlines and detailed documentation.
If you want to minimize the long-term impact of your record, it is critical to understand these distinctions and your eligibility. Our approach at Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. includes an in-depth review of your history, identifying the possibility of non-disclosure or expunction, and guiding you through the process step by step if relief is possible under Texas law.
How Do Felony Convictions Affect Immigration Status & Travel for Non-Citizens in Texas?
Felony convictions pose intense risks for non-citizens in Texas—sometimes more severe than for citizens themselves. Federal immigration law treats many felonies as “aggravated felonies” or “crimes of moral turpitude,” categories that can automatically trigger deportation, ban lawful permanent residency, or block citizenship applications. Even those with green cards or long-term visas can face removal from the United States after conviction for certain charges.
Travel also becomes complicated. Many countries bar entry to individuals with felony records, and U.S. Customs & Border Protection may subject returning non-citizens to extra scrutiny or detention. International travel for work, family visits, or emergencies may no longer be possible for years or even permanently depending on the specific situation.
If you are not a U.S. citizen and are facing or have been convicted of a felony, immediate legal counsel is vital. At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we review the full immigration impact of any charges, coordinate with immigration attorneys, and help clients take every available step to limit consequences and protect lawful status whenever possible.
How Do Felony Convictions Influence Family Rights, Custody & Adoption in Texas?
A felony conviction can change the dynamics of family life dramatically in Texas, especially regarding child custody, visitation, adoption, and fostering. Courts are required to consider the “best interest of the child” in any custody proceeding, and a parent’s criminal history—including the type, timing, and nature of a felony—can weigh heavily against awarding custodial rights or unsupervised visits.
For adoptions or fostering, Texas law mandates background checks and generally bars individuals with serious felony records from becoming adoptive or foster parents, particularly for crimes involving violence, child endangerment, or drugs. These disqualifications can be either temporary or permanent depending on the conviction and timeline.
Despite these challenges, courts may consider evidence of rehabilitation, time since conviction, and the broader circumstances of your life. At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we work with clients to assemble comprehensive documentation and advocate for fair consideration in custody or family law matters, understanding that every family’s story deserves to be fully heard.
How Long Do Felony Conviction Impacts in Texas Last?
The timeline for the impacts of a felony conviction varies based on the type of right or opportunity affected. While jail time or probationary periods may end in months or years, many collateral consequences last much longer or even become permanent. For example, voting rights are typically restored upon completion of your entire sentence, whereas restrictions on serving on a jury or holding public office may require a pardon or special relief.
Gun ownership bans are permanent under federal law, and some housing, work, or licensing restrictions have no formal limits—leaving private decision-makers to enforce their own policies for as long as they wish. Professional licenses may require lengthy waiting periods or ongoing supervision. Socially, criminal records often pose barriers for volunteering, coaching, or participating in community groups well after a case is closed.
Knowing exactly how long each consequence lasts is critical for planning your next steps. Our team at Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. maps out precise timelines for every consequence you might face and provides guidance on how to pursue restoration of rights and minimize the long-term impact of a felony record.
What Legal Defenses & Strategies Reduce Felony Conviction Impacts in Texas?
Navigating a felony charge successfully depends on early, aggressive, and detail-oriented legal defense. Defenses may involve challenging evidence, negotiating for lesser charges or dismissals, and seeking alternatives like pretrial diversion programs or specialized courts for drug or mental health issues. Each approach changes your risk profile not only for sentencing but for lifelong consequences tied to conviction.
Plea arrangements should always be evaluated in light of collateral impacts—like loss of civil rights, licensure risks, and impacts to housing or employment, not just immediate penalties. Proactive steps, such as gathering mitigating evidence and showing a commitment to rehabilitation, can also influence sentencing and eligibility for certain restorative programs later.
At Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C., we approach each case with thorough preparation, examining every defense and legal strategy that could minimize the risk of a felony conviction—or reduce its long-term impacts if a plea or trial verdict is unavoidable. Our commitment is to safeguard not just your present freedom, but every aspect of your life affected by the justice system.
What Steps Can You Take After a Felony Conviction in Texas?
Life after a felony conviction in Texas is challenging, but there are proactive steps that can make a significant difference. The first priority is fully understanding your rights—knowing when voting, housing, or professional options might become available again and seeking legal remedies like expunction or non-disclosure when possible. Collecting strong evidence of rehabilitation, stable employment, and positive community involvement can help with licensing reviews, family law matters, and employer background checks.
Additionally, take advantage of support networks and local organizations focused on successful reentry. These might include job training programs, fair-chance employment resources, housing support, or legal aid groups. Texas has several organizations committed to helping people rebuild their lives after conviction, and combining legal advice with these support services can yield a far better outcome than trying to go it alone.
If you or a loved one is facing major life changes after a felony conviction, having the support of an experienced, dedicated legal team can make all the difference. Reach out to Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. at (713) 364-9913 for practical advice, clear answers, and the relentless advocacy you need to move forward with confidence and purpose.