Hidden Consequences of a Criminal Record: What Happens When Convicted of a Felony? Is One Forever Branded a Criminal?

The etymology of the word “felon” is to some extent uncertain. In Latin, fel is thought be associated with gall or poison. Old French defines felon as an evil-doer, scoundrel, traitor, rebel, oath-breaker, and the Devil.

In early English law, a felony could be a crime punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of lands and goods.

Certain criminal convictions resulted in brand marks being burned in open court, the purposes of which included physical pain as a retributive aspect of punishment, public humiliation, and what was meant to serve as a readily apparent, indelible criminal record.

Branding as a form of adjudication indicated clearly, with life-altering permanent effect, the intended reduction in community status. Criminal offenders were thereby demeaned. Disfiguring with hot iron marked the convicted much like goods or animals of the time.

In certain cultures, brands literally emblazoned inferior social status, with the resultant economic ill-effects, and ensured those marked were forever treated as the functional equivalent of chattel, a personal possession, or something to be owned.

Indeed, French criminals were emblazoned with a fleur–de–lis, representing they were the possession of the Crown. . .the government of the time.

In French Louisiana, pursuant in part to the Code Noir, the fleur-de-lis as a brand embodied savagery and further dehumanization.

English Branding Marks included letter coding, which was traditionally burned onto the left thumb and, at times, even the forehead:

B – Blasphemeny
F – Fraymaker or Felon
M -Manslaughter or Murderer
P – Perjurer
R -Rogue
S -Slave
SL -Seditious Libeller
SS – Sower of Sedition
T – Thief
D -Deserter

The long-term consequences of Felonies include more than just the potential for lengthy terms in Prison, Probation, Fines, and Cost of Court – Bill Powers

What is a Felony in North Carolina?

See More: North Carolina Felony Classification

Traditional Definition of a Felony:

Serious enough to be punishable by death; or,
Imprisonment in State or Federal Prison
Contrasted by Misdemeanor Confinement to County or Local Jail or Fine
Crime with a minimum term of one year or more in State Prison
Sometimes referred to as “High Crimes”

Indelible Criminal Record

Sentencing for Felony Charges in North Carolina can include, but is not limited to:

Incarceration
Probation
Fines
Costs of Court
Supervision Fees
Restitution
Community Service
Assessment and Treatment

Rights as a Citizen

The North Carolina Board of Elections takes the position: If you are convicted of a felony in North Carolina, you temporarily lose your citizenship rights, including your right to vote.

While many rights are indeed suspended upon conviction of a Felony in North Carolina, one is still a Citizen of the United States of America** and may again have some of those rights restored. (Two notable exceptions in North Carolina are the right to possess firearms and the ability to seek elected office as a Sheriff.)

**United States Born Citizens may not have citizenship revoked against their will. It is possible for naturalized U.S. citizens to lose or have citizenship stripped through “denaturalization.”

Loss of Citizenship Rights:

Disqualification to Vote – No person adjudged guilty of a felony against this State or the United States, or adjudged guilty of a felony in another state that also would be a felony if it had been committed in this State, shall be permitted to vote unless that person shall be first restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law – N.C. Const. art. VI, sec. 2(3)

Disqualifications for Public Office – [A]ny person who has been adjudged guilty of treason or any other felony against this State or the United States, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony in another state that also would be a felony if it had been committed in this State, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of corruption or malpractice in any office, or any person who has been removed by impeachment from any office, and who has not been restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law – N.C. Const. art. VI, sec. 8

Qualification as Juror – [W]ho have not been convicted of a felony or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony (or if convicted of a felony or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to an indictment charging a felony have had their citizenship restored pursuant to law. . .- NCGS 9-3

Disqualification as Personal Representative – [C]onvicted felon, under the laws either of the United States or of any state or territory of the United States, or of the District of Columbia and whose citizenship has not been restored – NCGS 28A-4-2(3)

Forfeiture of Licensing Privileges – Regular and Commercial Drivers Licenses, Occupational Licenses, Hunting Licenses and Permits, and Fishing Licenses and Permits – NCGS 15A-1331.1

Restoration of Citizenship

Certain Rights of Citizenship in North Carolina are automatically restored upon the completion of the Felony Criminal Sentence.

North Carolina General Statute § 13-1 – “Restoration of Citizenship” sets forth the automatic process:

Collateral Consequences of Felony Conviction in North Carolina

Even after restoration of certain Rights of Citizenship, there are NUMEROUS long-term consequences in North Carolina that may not be immediately apparent.

The North Carolina Administrative Code is peppered with preclusions based on convictions of both misdemeanor and felony criminal charges.

The following are examples of the all-encompassing nature of potential administrative law implications associated with criminal convictions under the NCAC:

Ineligible for employment/certification as a justice officer – 12 N.C.A.C. 10B.0307
Ineligible for certification as justice officer – 12 N.C.A.C. 10B.0204
Ineligible for commission as company police officer – 12 N.C.A.C. 2I.0212
Ineligible for commission as campus police officer – 12 N.C.A.C. 2J.0209
Ineligible for DCIN user certification – 12 N.C.A.C. 4H.0401
Ineligible for employment as a law enforcement officer – 12 N.C.A.C. 9B.0111
Ineligible for employment as local confinement personnel – 12 N.C.A.C. 9B.0114
Ineligible to for admittance as trainee in criminal justice school/training program – 12 N.C.A.C. 9B.0203
Ineligible for employment as a juvenile justice officer – 12 N.C.A.C. 9B.0117
Ineligible for employment as juvenile/chief court counselor – 12 N.C.A.C. 9B.0116
Ineligible for private personnel service license – 13 N.C.A.C. 17.0102
Ineligible for Hunter Safety Instructor Certification – 15A N.C.A.C. 10K.0103
Ineligible for inclusion of wrecker service on highway patrol rotation wrecker list – 14B N.C.A.C. 7A.0116
Ineligible to be registered environmental consultant (conviction of employees) – 15A N.C.A.C. 13C.0304
Ineligible to serve as a trusted role employee with access to public key technology – 18 N.C.A.C. 10.0306
Ineligible for registration as architect – 21 N.C.A.C. 2.0302
Revoke license as interpreter/transliterator – 21 N.C.A.C. 25.0302
Revoke/ineligible for locksmith license (permanent/category I offense) – 21 N.C.A.C. 29.0402

See More: Effects of Criminal Convictions on Licensing, Eligibility to Participate and the North Carolina Administrative Code

Resource Materials for Felony Charges in North Carolina:

Felony Sentencing Chart North Carolina