Florida to restore felons' civil rights

AP ^ | April 5, 2007 | DAVID ROYSE

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Most felons released from prison will have their voting and other civil rights restored under a rule approved Thursday by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and the state clemency board.

All but the most violent felons would avoid the need to get on a long list for a hearing before the board, which sometimes takes years.

The board voted 3-1 with Attorney General Bill McCollum, another Republican, strongly objecting.

Crist has made it clear since before he was governor that he was in favor of making it easier for felons who have done their time to vote. He pushed the measure forcefully, and rejected McCollum's assertion that it was welcoming the worst of the worst back into society too easily.

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

Good thing this didn't happen in 2000.

[desherwood7]

True. But who’s to say that it wouldn’t tip the scales fro Hitlery in ‘08?

[Always Right]

So does this mean ex-felons can get guns too?

[FormerACLUmember]

Gotta get those 100% democrat voters back to the polls.

Democrats: the party of rapists, murderers, thieves, and the sociopath lawyers who represent them. And the sociopath politicians who receive aforementioned tainted votes.

[eastforker]

Why shouldn’t a non violent felon have his gun rights restored? In this day and age a felony coviction can happen to almost anyone if you have an over zealous prosecutor.

[RC2]

“clemency board”? I thought they meant “Cemetery board”. They counted cemetery votes when Gore was running.

[P-40]

The article doesn’t say, unfortunately. Maybe that is what ‘other civil rights’ means.

[Always Right]

Why shouldn’t a non violent felon have his gun rights restored?

I wasn't saying they shouldn't, I was asking a question. Does this give them the right to own a gun? The article does not address that. Maybe they already do.

[2001convSVT]

Does this also mean that because a felon will have their constitutional right restored to vote that all their constitutional rights are restored, including the right to own a firearm?

[eastforker]

Working in the petrochemical construction industry, I have met a lot of guys that are convicted felons from when they were much younger but turned it around to become productive members of society. Everyone should have the right to protect themselves and their family in their own home.

[HockeyPop]

Charlie Crist just served a death blow to the GOP

[martinidon]

I don’t have a problem with this as long as they have served their time to include probation period.

[eastforker]

Contrary to some beliefs many convicted felons vote republican.

[eastforker]

Or I should say hold republican beliefs.

[Wormwood]

Charlie Crist just served a death blow to the GOP

Sometimes the right thing to do isn't the most "political" thing to do.

[ridesthemiles]

Why shouldn’t a non violent felon have his gun rights restored? In this day and age a felony coviction can happen to almost anyone if you have an over zealous prosecutor.”

Are they truly separating non-violent felons from the violent ones??
I thought most felonies were violent.

In either case, I don’t believe any convicted felon should be able to vote nor to legally own a gun.

[antisocial]

“Contrary to some beliefs many convicted felons vote republican.”

Can you provide us with a source for that?

[Puppage]

Contrary to some beliefs many convicted felons vote republican

And, you base that on information found where?

[Puppage]

In this day and age a felony coviction can happen to almost anyone if you have an over zealous prosecutor.

So, it's the prosecutors fault now?

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

I've only seen accounts by the AP and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Neither mentioned that.

[Paul8148]

So this is what he choices to use his high approver ratings on.

[budgetbabe]

The PSA announcing the decision of the Board who, by the way, are all Republicans

Governor Crist Announces Clemency Board’s
Vote to Restore Civil Rights

~ Historic vote restores civil rights to certain ex-offenders after their debt to society is paid ~

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today during a special meeting of the Florida Board of Executive Clemency introduced a change to the Rules of Executive Clemency that will provide for the restoration of the civil rights for certain ex-offenders. The rule was approved by a 3-1 majority of the clemency board, which consists of the Governor and the Florida Cabinet. Attorney General Bill McCollum voted against the measure.

“If we believe people have paid their debt to society, then that debt should be considered paid in full, and their civil rights should in fact be restored,” said Governor Crist. “By granting ex-offenders the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, we restore their ability to be gainfully employed, as well as their dignity.”

Under the rule, the civil rights of ex-offenders who have committed less severe crimes, and meet the following requirements, would qualify for approval without a hearing:

· Those who have completed their sentence as well as all conditions of supervision, including probation;

· Those who have no pending criminal charges;

· Those who have paid all victim restitution;

· Those who have not committed certain severe offenses or qualify as a habitual violent offender, violent career criminal or sexual predator.

The rule also provides for clemency board review and approval of certain offenders who have committed severe crimes by means of a Preliminary Review List, without the need for a full hearing.

“I am proud to stand with the Cabinet to stop denying voting rights and occupational licenses to tens of thousands of Floridians each year who deserve a second chance,” said Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink. “We should provide Floridians with incentives, instead of roadblocks, to be responsible and to make the right decisions for themselves and their families.”

A certificate will be mailed to individuals who meet the criteria for automatic approval for restoration of civil rights. Individuals who are not eligible for automatic approval may continue to apply for restoration by contacting the Office of Executive Clemency.

# # #

RESTORATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

How the Clemency Process Begins:

· The Department of Corrections submits a list of ex-offenders who have completed their sentences for review by the Parole Commission, based on the offense committed.

· The Parole Commission reviews the list for initial eligibility to verify that:

a. They have completed their sentence.
b. They have completed their probation or supervision.
c. They have paid 100% of victim restitution.
d. There are no pending cases on the state or federal level.

· Once initial eligibility is verified, the Parole Commission will determine which restoration level process is required.

· Once an ex-offender’s level has been determined, the Office of Executive Clemency initiates the process.

a. For less severe and severe offenses, except murder and sex offenses, ex-offenders are not required to take any action and will be notified if their rights have been restored or if found ineligible.

b. For murder, sex offenses, and unapproved severe offenses, ex-offenders need to request a hearing through the Office of the Executive Clemency.

· Under these rules, the rights being restored are:

· Voting Rights
· Right to Serve on a Jury
· Right to Apply for Occupational Licenses
· Right to Hold Public Office

Gun rights will NOT be restored.

# # #

[Graybeard58]

I don’t believe any convicted felon should be able to vote

Then you don't like it that Florida has joined the other 47 states that allow felons who have served their time to vote.

[eastforker]

I base my information on the ones I have met at work.Got in trouble as a young adult, plead guilty cuz of no money etc.Got older, straightened up, now have good jobs and family but can not own a gun for something that happened 15 years ago or longer. Their outlook on life is good and many are troop supporting, country loving patriots.

[2001convSVT]

Thanks, I have no idea for far the new law will go.

[Puppage]

I base my information on the ones I have met at work.

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while.

People met at work hardly denote many, IMHO.

[Centurion2000]

Most felons released from prison will have their voting and other civil rights restored under a rule approved Thursday by Republican Gov. Charlie Crist and the state clemency board.

I wonder how this will affect gun rights considering that the form 4473 requires disclosure and you know the FBI is going to give a block to any felon trying to buy.

[Graybeard58]

My B-I-L who spent 23 years in prison told me that the older cons tended to be conservative and the younger ones liberal.

It proves nothing, just an observation.

[Always Right]

· Under these rules, the rights being restored are:

· Voting Rights
· Right to Serve on a Jury
· Right to Apply for Occupational Licenses
· Right to Hold Public Office

Gun rights will NOT be restored.

---

Thanks for the info. It figures they would not include gun rights. Making the right to hold public office does make sense though, because having criminal background is a plus to performing their duties.

[TLI]

So does this mean ex-felons can get guns too?

All it talks about in the article is voting but I see no reason why, after a check for additional charges (or something like that) that a F.F. should not have ALL their rights restored. Of course the feds will object. When do they ever not object to states rights? But what will they actually do? If a certain state says ok, two years after release from all supervision, lockup, probation, parole, "go pick up your items of Self Defense and take `em home. And we don't want to see you here again!" The feds will just have to endear themselves even more to the voters by pitching a "hissy" which will only hammer home the point that there is no end to the control greed of the feds.

[MassRepublicanFlyersFan]

Check out post #22 on this thread.

[Still Thinking]

Ronnie Earle.
Mike Nif-wrong.
Eliot Spits-her.

[Ransomed]

I have heard the same thing. I believe the argument I heard went something like “of the ex-cons who bother to get their voting rights back, the majority end up voting the R ticket, so if voting rights were auto-restored after time served, the only ones who would ‘probly bother voting anyhow would be ‘pubs.” I have no evidence, but that’s the way the argument was given, and I have no idear if it’s correct or not.

I reckon that if you can’t trust somebody to own guns or vote, they shouldn’t be running around free anyhow.

Freegards

[Jrabbit]

IIRC, he is really good at serving death blows....

[goldstategop]

I'm techically a felon after my minor altercation with the law yesterday. I do not mind however; I am not the kind of felon the Democrats have in mind as a voter. I'm just too square and uncool. Infraction offenders are just not high enough on the politicians' list to worry about. We're just a revenue cash cow for them. The REAL felons sponge off the taxpayers. No wonder murderers, sex offenders, thugs, drug dealers and robbers merit so much concern from the political class.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[longtermmemmory]

for the nonviolent offenders the result is that rights are restored.

The rejection rate seems to be very low.

IF this restores ALL rights then ok, if it selective restoration then this is a sham.

[goldstategop]

How come I have to pay and they get to vote? Yeah, I know life's unfair.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Mister Da]

I agree.

We FReepers need to realize that when the Hildebeest becomes prez, she, Pelosi, & Reid are gonna pass a bunch of new laws making most FReepers into felons. I’m thinking “hate-speech” & anti-gun laws. Most people here would have multiple counts against them, & will never vote or own a gun again.

People need to remember that our founding fathers were once wanted criminals, most of whom would hang if caught.

I wonder how many here want Skooter Libby’s voting & gun rights taken away? Or the 2 unjustly convicted border patrol agents?

As for the idea that the vast majority of convicted felons would vote for the Democrats, I disagree.

Most crime is committed by young people, & as people age, they tend to become more conservative. So, I suspect there are lots of old felons out there who support conservative candidates, but cannot vote, or protect themselves.

[longtermmemmory]

Nifong is a rule not an exception.

He was exposed because those kids had money to defend themselves.

[Riverman94610]

First off,I would say there are probably major differences politically among black and white ex-felons in Florida,with the blacks voting 95% Dem and the whites most likely splitting their vote 50-50.
Yet I would also venture that only a small percentage of ex-felons will vote period.The criminal mindset is not the most civic minded one.

[TigersEye]

So does this mean ex-felons can get guns too?

It should. If it doesn't then it's just a political move.

[Vision]

I will never understand why our beautiful country seems Hell bent on destruction.

[Always Right]

It should. If it doesn't then it's just a political move.

It doesn't

[TigersEye]

Gun rights will NOT be restored.

That is unfortunate. The RKBA is one of the most fundamental rights of man. I support everything this bill says but this exclusion is glaringly political and I would reject this bill on that basis.

“If we believe people have paid their debt to society, then that debt should be considered paid in full, and their civil rights should in fact be restored,” said Governor Crist. “By granting ex-offenders the opportunity to participate in the democratic process, we restore their ability to be gainfully employed, as well as their dignity.”

By excluding the RKBA the Governor's words ring hollow. He obviously doesn't truly believe what he's saying.

[TigersEye]

Unfortunate.

[TLI]

We FReepers need to realize that when the Hildebeest becomes prez, she, Pelosi, & Reid are gonna pass a bunch of new laws making most FReepers into felons.

You have "struck the nail" that IMO is the end goal of fed.gov. I believe that the feds will NEVER fully uphold the Constitution.

They, like any other government, will only concede to the will of the people when they are facing the business end of a gun barrel. Slowly and most surely the feds will make everyone some sort of criminal with only limited "rights."

[TKDietz]

Just FYI, on average less than 19% of all felony convictions every year are for violent offenses. Drug offenses account the highest percentage of felony convictions, around a third. The rest are property crimes, nonviolent weapons offenses, and around 14 or 15% tend to be in a "other offenses" category. Sex offenses count as violent offenses. The conduct for which people can receive felony convictions can be that that we'd all recognize as just terrible conduct, and it can also be for things most of us would consider fairly minor offenses. In my state for instance giving a cigarette to a trustee from the jail who is out working is now a felony. It’s a felony here to write $201 worth of hot checks, and a lot of people will plead guilty even if they had no intent to defraud when they wrote the checks. It may be that their estranged spouse cleaned out the bank account when he or she took off without any warning.

I was appointed to represent a guy recently on a felony charge for possessing a firearm on school property. He was a young adult waiting in the parking lot to pick up his cousin and someone called the police when they saw a rife in his back seat. It was an antique his grandfather had given him. He had taken it to a gunsmith earlier in the day to get a price on some refinishing work. Technically, he was guilty of a felony even though he had no ammo and no clips. Lucky for him the prosecutor wasn’t a gun control nut and he let the guy plead to a misdemeanor offense and pay a fine. Another prosecutor could have made a felony stick in that case. When I was a kid people at my high school had gun racks in their pickup trucks and no one cared that they had rifles or shotguns as long as they didn’t pull them out and play with them. Things have changed a lot though. Politicians are always making something a crime that wasn’t a crime before, passing amendments to turn misdemeanors into felonies, etc.

More than a million people in this country are convicted of felony offenses now every year. There are literally tens of millions of people in this country today who are convicted felons. It’s going to get to the point where being a felon isn’t considered to be nearly as bad a black mark on people as it used to be. Having a felony on your record would not be a good thing though, especially in this age of computers when anyone who wants to just about can perform background checks on people.

Personally, I don't think it's right in most cases to punish people forever for a screw up. Most people convicted of felonies ought to be able to get their voting rights back eventually after they are punished, pay off all the money they owe, and go for an extended period without getting in trouble. If it were up to me most would be able to earn their right to possess firearms back as well, especially the non-repeat offenders who were not convicted of particularly serious crimes in the first place. I think most ought to be able to get their records expunged eventually too so they'll be able to get decent jobs and live in decent apartments not heavily populated by criminals. I wouldn't extend all this to career criminals or people convicted of particularly serious crimes, but it's really counterproductive for us to punish people for the rest of their lives for relatively minor transgressions. We make it harder for these people to make it in this world by legitimate means than it is for the rest of us when really what we ought to be doing is encouraging them to live right by offering them a way to earn their place back in society.

[TKDietz]

“My B-I-L who spent 23 years in prison told me that the older cons tended to be conservative and the younger ones liberal.”

Isn’t that the way it works for everyone? People tend to be more liberal when they are young and become more conservative as they grow older. I don’t see why the same thing wouldn’t apply to people who have gotten a felony conviction at some point in their lives.

[supercat]

People met at work hardly denote many, IMHO.

I would expect, though I'll admit I don't have any real data on this, that convicted felons who are unable to figure out the concept of "personal responsibility" are apt to re-offend before completing their parole. Those who do grasp the concept well enough to complete their parole may realize that the no-personal-responsibility attitude of the Democrats is what got them into trouble in the first place.

[Greenpees]

I may be saying this because 14 yrs ago I aquired myself a non-violent misdemeanor, but I whole heartedly agree with you. I was lucky, I had good people around me and they never let a single stupid decsion hold me back from better days.

Today, I’m in management and it breaks my heart a little when I have to turn a guy away for a maintenance job because he committed a single A&B, via some bar fight, when he was 21 and he’s now 30 something and hasn’t been in any trouble since.

We have to allow these folks to reintegrate into society at some point. If we don’t, there is always a chance they will go into work that is less than honest when they’ve expended all other options.

And Yes. So long as they haven’t been violent criminals, or habitual criminals, they should be able to own a firearm