Stated simply, a traffic violation is not a crime. If you are convicted of a traffic violation like speeding you will not have a criminal record. A misdemeanor is a crime punishable by up to one year in jail. A felony is a crime punishable by one year or more in state prison. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony you will have a permanent New York criminal record. You may also have to serve jail time or go to prison, followed by probation or parole.
In New York State, there is no way to “expunge” or remove a criminal record – it stays with you for life. Many employers run criminal background checks on prospective employees. Certain jobs will not hire you altogether if you have a criminal record. Having a criminal record can also prevent you from obtaining certain kinds of housing, or even crossing the border and entering another country like Canada.
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