Florida makes it harder to restore civil rights for felons

It just got a lot harder to get your civil rights back after being convicted of a felony in Florida.

Under a policy passed by the Florida Cabinet on Wednesday, non-violent felons will have to wait at least five years after completing their sentences to apply for their civil rights; during that time they can’t be arrested.
Certain classes of violent felons will have to wait seven years to apply.
Not just will felons have to wait regain their right to vote, the change will also keep them from serving on a jury, running for office or holding dozens of professional licenses.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who made the proposal, said she believes that it's only appropriate for the Clemency Board to restore those rights after felons have demonstrated a commitment to living a crime-free life.  
The change removes the policy adopted in 2007 which streamlined the process in an effort to get released felons re-integrated into society.


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