Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.
Certain criminal convictions can affect your ability to participate in civic life. This includes restrictions on voting, serving on a jury, or holding public office. For immigrants, a conviction can also affect your immigration status.
We've detailed some of these restrictions below.
Note This page is not a complete list of restrictions. If you need help researching a specific restriction, please ask a librarian.
Once someone has "fully discharged" their sentence or has been pardoned, their right to vote is automatically restored in Texas. However, it is not always clear as to when a sentence has been fully completed.
Criminal convictions can also affect a person's interaction with the court system in different situations.
A person with certain criminal convictions may be barred from serving on a jury, recovering damages or compensation payments, or participating in alternative dispute resolutions.
Criminal convictions can affect your immigration status. In some cases, certain convictions can result in an immigrant's deportation. They may also be barred from receiving U.S. citizenship or reentering the country.
Federal law allows an immigrant to be deported for "aggravated felonies." Despite the name, this category includes a wide variety of both misdemeanor and felony offenses. See a list of offenses designated as "aggravated felonies" in 8 U.S. Code Section 1101 (a)(43).
We have more information on the immigration process on our Immigration Law guide.
People with certain criminal convictions are prohibited from holding many types of public office They may also be restricted from serving on the board of a business or homeowner's association.
Many laws also require the immediate removal of a person who receives a felony conviction while holding office.
Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.