Friday, May 16, 2008
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Tracking Virginia’s General Assembly
since 2007.
SJ7: Constitutional amendment; restoration of civil rights for certain felons (first reference).
Chief Patron
Sen.
Yvonne Miller (D-5)
Yvonne Miller
(D-5)
Served: 1988–
Progress
 |
Introduced |
 |
Passed Committee |
 |
Passed House |
|
Passed Senate |
Status
01/15/2008: Failed to Pass in Committee
Summary
Constitutional amendment (first resolution); restoration of civil rights. Authorizes the General Assembly to provide by general law for the restoration of civil rights for persons convicted of nonviolent felonies who have completed service of their sentence including any period or condition of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The present Constitution provides for restoration of rights by the Governor. The amendment retains the right of the Governor to restore civil rights and adds the alternative for restoration of rights pursuant to general law.
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This bill is being tracked by Ben T., WHSV-TV, beth l., VPLC, Martin T., VB Dems, spotter, Raising Kaine, Mark B., Vivian P., L. L., Waldo J., Katie M., frances r., Neal M., A More Perfect Union, Jessica, robert l., Virginia Poverty Law Center, Michael G., Virginia Interfaith Center, Johnny C. and Barbara G.
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Comments
Thanks to Senator Miller for keeping this important issue on the front burner. I only wish the GA would realize how important this is.
I'm excited about this bill. It's far, far too difficult for nonviolent ex-felons to have their rights restored. If they've "paid their debt to society," as the expression goes, then they should enjoy the same fundamental rights and privileges of other citizens.
Waldo Jaquith writes:
I'm excited about this bill. It's far, far too difficult for nonviolent ex-felons to have their rights restored. If they've "paid their debt to society," as the expression goes, then they should enjoy the same fundamental rights and privileges of other citizens.
Yes the sky is falling, and I am agreeing with Waldo again. I feel a non-violent crime should warrant the ability to have ones rights restored. A violent offender should have a better chance of seeing the man upsatirs before thiers is restored.
At the same time that SJ7 languishes, the GA considers HB334: Cats; Class 5 felony to steal. How poorly have we organized our priorities that for pilfering a pet we would remove what is the fundamental right of a citizen in a democracy, and that without recourse for recovery other than the whim of the governor.
Disenfranchisement is {almost} unique in that the punitive action is immutable by a judge -- no reduction in sentence, no probation, period of supervised release, no waiver of fines can eliminate the fact that the Commonwealth labels a crime a felony, thus your rights are removed. FULL STOP.
I'd be curious to know why this bill was abandoned until next year. The fact that it failed unanimously tells me that there must have been a good reason.
As I imperfectly understand it, all constitutional amendments will be continued until next year. Why? Well, Ben Greenberg told me and it made sense, but I just can't recall. Ben, you here?
The House version is still alive. What is the big objection to this? Future campaign issue for them?
I am one of those non violent felons who has paid my debt to society and seem to be continuing to pay that debt on a daily basis. I would be in support of that bill if it comes back to committee.
Congratulations Vicky on serving your time. I'd be happy to return your right to vote, but you still should be allowed to own a gun.
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