People who are facing a felony charge might realize that a conviction can lead to having to pay fines, spending time in prison or having to live on probation. While those are some of the consequences of a felony conviction, they aren’t the only consequences. Some people might not realize that a felony conviction might stop you from being able to travel.
One factor that determines if you are able to get a passport with a felony conviction is the charge you were convicted on. Some drug felonies can disqualify you from being able to get a passport. One example is a conviction for international drug trafficking. That charge is an automatic and mandatory disqualification from being able to get a passport. Other drug felonies can also stop you from getting a passport.
Even misdemeanor drug charges can result in a denial of a passport application. The secretary of state can exercise this denial right for all drug convictions except a first-time misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance.
One interesting point to note is that if you were convicted of any drug charge that involved using your passport, you will be unable to get a passport. The passport you used during the commission of the crime could be revoked.
In some cases, the loss of a passport or disqualification for receiving one only occurs while you are incarcerated, on parole or living in a halfway house. After you have completed all of those conditions, getting a passport might be possible.
For someone who enjoys traveling or someone who has to travel internationally for work, the loss of a passport can be a devastating blow. For those who need a passport, the possible loss of a passport is a good reason to fight the criminal charges placed against you.
Source: U.S. Passport Help Guide, “Getting a Passport for Convicted Felon,” accessed May. 07, 2015