convicted felons

[Dionne]

I know a man that some years ago shot another man in the face and blinded him for life. He is a convicted felon, he served time. Yesterday, I saw him voting. I just finished doing the research. Mississippi is one of 10 states that does NOT have what is known as a "certificate of discharge".....which restores certain rights to felons......like owning a firearm and voting. A convicted felon voting in Mississippi is a class "C" felony. The punishment is harsh.

This is not about politics. This is about a crime being committed.

I'm trying to decide what to do? If anything? I'm not real big on turning people in to the law. At the same time, I am disturbed by a felon committing another felony.

[gtalum]

It's possible he had his criminal record expunged.

[Dionne]

It's possible he had his criminal record expunged.

Nope. He tried years ago to get a pardon and was turned down by the governor. He also tried to run for political office and the courts had to write an opinion. The result of the opinion upheld the felony conviction. I'm not from Mississippi. I did not live here when the shooting happened. I only discovered the incident when this man approached me seeking help acquiring a pardon so that he could carry a firearm and hunt deer. Because of the nature of the crime....today it would be considered a "hate crime"....it's a done deal.

I have just found out that the Secretary of State office is interested.

[george_r_1961]

Here in VA you have to show ID and presumably when u register to vote your name is run thru NCIC for felony convictions. Maybe you should talk to the local police.

I am against felons routinely getting their voting rights restored. They should be made to earn the right to vote again thru a long period of law abiding behavior. And some offenders should never be eligible.

[MGC]

Next thing you know they will want the right to possess firearms. Can you turn him in without declaring yourself, incase he has revenge on his mind?....MGC

[Dionne]

I did some checking around yesterday afternoon. Felons voting in Mississippi is a topic most folks ignore. Nobody wants to open that box of worms. There is no cross reference through NCIC. One man I spoke with just laughed. His comment hit home. He questioned my concern for one felon voting while hundreds probably did the same thing statewide. When I Googled "felons voting" there were numerous threads that came up. Obviously, this is a national problem.

[vbhoutex]

I did some checking around yesterday afternoon. Felons voting in Mississippi is a topic most folks ignore. Nobody wants to open that box of worms. There is no cross reference through NCIC. One man I spoke with just laughed. His comment hit home. He questioned my concern for one felon voting while hundreds probably did the same thing statewide. When I Googled "felons voting" there were numerous threads that came up. Obviously, this is a national problem.

That is scary and wrong too! I am surprised nothing has been done about this. I figured one or two might be able to get through, but has no idea it is like you indicate it might be. In smaller locales this means that felons could really affect the outcome of an election. I t shouldn't be this way.

[somethingfunny]

Did Senator Stevens vote?

[x-y-no]

It's possible he had his criminal record expunged.

Nope. He tried years ago to get a pardon and was turned down by the governor. He also tried to run for political office and the courts had to write an opinion. The result of the opinion upheld the felony conviction. I'm not from Mississippi. I did not live here when the shooting happened. I only discovered the incident when this man approached me seeking help acquiring a pardon so that he could carry a firearm and hunt deer. Because of the nature of the crime....today it would be considered a "hate crime"....it's a done deal.

I have just found out that the Secretary of State office is interested.

I don't know the system in Mississippi, but in most states you don't need a pardon or your record expunged to have your voting rights reinstated. Some states do it automatically once all terms of the sentece are satisfied. Others, like Florida, have a review board that must approve reinstating the right.

[Dionne]

There is a lot of information online. How much is mis-information......I have no idea? Everywhere you look the requirements change for convicted felons voting. I'm more than a bit confused right now.

The best I can tell is that once a convicted felon has completed ALL sentences and is no longer under any department of corrections control....and that person desires to vote....they do the deal. All the lights are ON and nobody is home.

Here in the deep south there are numerous laws not enforced.