We all have to pay for the choices we make. If your life was "ruined" by a past conviction, then it was probably a felony and your life being more difficult was earned. I don't understand the thinking behind protecting those who victimize law abiding people. You steal a car, or burglarize a house, or assault someone with a weapon, or rob a store, or sell meth, whichever, you deserve to be taken out of society for a while because you can not live by very simple rules. Wake up, stop protecting those who victimize good people.