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Court To Hear Felons’ Rights Fight In July
May 9, 2018
Moving quickly on the issue, a federal appeals court has tentatively scheduled oral arguments in July in a constitutional battle about Florida’s process for restoring the voting rights of felons.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to hear arguments the week of July 23 in Atlanta, though an online docket does not list a specific date. In an order filed late last month, the appeals court said it was expediting consideration of the case, a move that included speeding up deadlines for attorneys to file briefs.
The case went to the Atlanta-based appeals court after U.S. District Judge Mark Walker declared unconstitutional Florida’s process for restoring the voting rights of felons who have served their sentences.
Gov. Rick Scott and members of the state Cabinet, who serve as the clemency board, have defended the current process, which involves felons waiting five to seven years to apply to have their rights restored — and years after that to complete the process.
Walker had ordered Scott and the Cabinet to revamp the process by April 26. But state officials won a partial victory April 25, when a panel of the federal appeals court granted a stay of the order.
By The News Service of Florida
Comments
2 Responses to “Court To Hear Felons’ Rights Fight In July”
I believe it should be any non violent felony conviction you should lose your voting rights for 10 years. Then if the person wanted to, they can apply for restoration. If they have no arrests in 10 years and have had a job for at least 3 years and pass 3 random drug tests then they can get it back. But the person wanting restoration must pay out of pocket for all of the drug tests and application fee, ect. Then explain why they deserve them back in front of a board of three people and all three must agree to give your rights back.
a simple law is needed: a serious felony, like murder, rape, agg assault, kidnapping, drug trafficking – no voting rights, ever. everyone else can vote.