A new law would allow felons on parole to vote, although not those currently incarcerated
In California, once a person is released from prison, he or she is placed on parole for a period of time. Parole is a period of supervision in felony cases that occurs after a person is released from California state prison. During this time, a person can work, is required to pay taxes, and can largely live a normal life, provided that he or she complies with the conditions of parole imposed by the California Board of Parole. However, Californians on parole are unable to exercise one key right: the ability to vote.
Unlike many other states, in California, felons who are on parole are ineligible to vote. Under a new law, this may change — if the measure passes the California Legislature and is approved by California voters. Roughly half of the states in the U.S. currently allow felons on parole to vote.
According to a criminal defense attorney San Bernardino, CA, Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, a Democrat from Sacramento, introduced the Assembly Constitutional Amendment 6, known as the Free the Vote Act. This amendment would allow people who are on parole to vote, although it would not go as far as a few other states in allowing people who are currently incarcerated to vote.
If the amendment is approved by two-thirds majorities from both chambers in the Legislature, then it will be put on the ballot in 2020. There, voters will have the opportunity to approve or disapprove of the measure. It will require a simple majority to become law. Currently, there are approximately 48,000 Californians who cannot vote because they are on felony probation.
As a criminal defense attorney San Bernardino, CA can explain, felonies are the most serious criminal offenses in California. They include some of the most significant crimes, such as murder and rape, as well as sale of a controlled substance. Other crimes may be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the facts of the case and the defendant’s criminal history. These offenses are known as “wobblers.” Wobblers include domestic violence, sexual battery, assault with a deadly weapon, forgery, and vandalism.
Penalties for felony offenses include imprisonment in county jail or California state prison, and/or a fine of up to $10,000. The type of punishment will depend on the facts of each case, as well as the defendant’s criminal history. If a person is sentenced to a term of incarceration in California state prison, then he or she will be on parole after release. There are a number of consequences of a felony conviction in California, including the inability to own or possess a gun (for 10 years or for life), the possibility that the offense will be considered a “strike” under California’s three strikes law, and the inability to vote while incarcerated and on parole.
If you have been charged with a felony, you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney San Bernardino, CA to represent you. The Chambers Law Firm offers skilled representation to Californians who have been charged with a range of crimes. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation.
