November 3, 2017
It is your right as an American to vote, right? Well, once you are a convicted felon, that can be debatable. If you have committed a crime and served your time, then you should be able to vote; that is the way many Americans see the issue. Why should this burden follow you for eternity? It is almost as if your past is on your shoulder all the time. Why can’t the past be left in the past?
There is a proposal in Florida that could restore voting rights to most convicted felons who have served their time and are now back in the public. The proposal includes an exception for felons who have committed sex crimes and murder. Many felons’ rights advocates would like to see this become law.
However, not everyone is sympathetic to the plight of felons. Tampa attorney Richard Harrison believes this restoration will be taken too far and he opposes it for many reasons. He believes some people should be able to vote after getting out of jail, but he also argues that the Constitution is very broad when it comes to this topic. Harrison points out that felony offenses can range from bouncing a check to committing murder, and felons should not be lumped into one group when it comes to restoring voting rights. Harrison argues that the system currently in place in Florida is adequate. The current law requires felons to seek approval to vote after a waiting period of five years after the conclusion of their sentence. He feels this process works well enough and that no changes are needed.
However, this process is not enough for many people who believe that it takes too long and is too expensive for most ex-convicts who have served their time and are trying to better their lives and participate fully in their communities.
If you are a citizen of the United States, voting is your right. If you have a felony in your past and would now like to be able to vote again, consider finding an attorney to help you get your criminal record expunged. Expungement means your criminal record will be erased and you will be able to legally say that you have never been convicted of a crime when applying for jobs and filling out paperwork.
Call a St. Petersburg Expungement Lawyer to Restore Your Rights
Here at the Khonsari Law Group, we have helped many people move on with their lives by helping them get an expungement and giving them a clean slate. If you feel you are a changed person, will do good in the community, and deserve a new beginning, our lawyers may be able to help. Our goal is to support you to start over with a clean slate so you can get a job, gain an income, and, importantly, vote. Call us today at (727) 269-5300 to talk about your options. You can also contact us anytime through our website.