I will just bet that you do. You may not know about it because you may not know that 30 years ago someone made a mistake and was convicted of a felony crime. Or maybe it was just 5 years ago. In any case, they were convicted, served their time and are now out being productive citizens (to whatever degree prejudice allows).
For a “rehabilitative process” our system sure can be more punitive than rehabilitative in nature. A list of those crimes considered to be felonies can be found at http://www.vcsc.state.va.us/VCC_book_fel.pdf. The more severe the crime, the more time is served. But, can you really see any sense behind taking away someone’s right to vote forever because they were out with friends at the age of 18 or 19 and stole a car? Or, for writing a bad check of $200 or more? People make mistakes. Not everyone gets caught! And, I’ll just bet there are plenty of people who have made those types of mistakes and either didn’t get caught or had the money to pay for attorneys that managed to get charges reduced to a misdemeanor. (Oh, yeah! That’s another whole issue. Who commits the crime and where they are on the socio-economic, race, ethnicity ladders has a great deal to do with whether the act is considered a felony or a misdemeanor. It can also have a lot to do with who the crime was committed against and strongly they feel about things.) “Justice for All” doesn’t always work out the way it was meant to work out.
Virginia law allows for someone convicted of a felony to apply to the Governor for restoration of voting rights after completing their sentence. This is a very complex process and can be very costly as well. If convicted of a violent crime, drug sales, or electoral offenses, this avenue is not available. Kentucky is the only other state in the country that requires such executive pardoning. All other states have a process for automatic restoration of voting rights or this is handled by the Parole Board. There are exceptions in many of those states for those who have committed crimes of violence. See the varying laws of each state at State Felon Voting Laws website.
Then, come out to the VOICES FOR THE VOTE rally being held in Roanoke on Sunday in Elmwood Park on Sunday, September 13 from 1-4 P.M. Listen to people tell their stories and form an opinion of your own. This has been an issue of debate here in Virginia for some time now.
Forgiveness is a gift that does not cost anything. Encouragement to those trying to live a decent live after committing a crime and serving their time, does not cost anything. The only things required are an open heart, an open mind, the awareness that ‘there, but for the grace of God, go I’. Anyone can make a mistake, you, your family members, your friends, your neighbors. How do you want them to be treated?
And for those of you who are wondering, FOIA requests are not a felony….don’t get your hopes up:)
