felons

For the past decade, felons in Florida have had to wait at least five years after being released from prison before becoming eligible to have their civil rights restored. But on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, acting as the Board of Executive Clemency, did away with the waiting periods.

The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition rallied in Tallahassee and Quincy today to encourage felons to vote.

In 2018 Florida voters agreed that felons should have their right to vote back once they’ve completed their sentence. In 2019 the state created a law that tied repayment of legal financial obligations to that right. The law was challenged in court where plaintiffs have argued it created a poll tax. Closing arguments in the case were made Wednesday and the judge in the case appeared to agree with the plaintiffs.

Curtis Bryant registered to vote in September, thanks to a Florida constitutional amendment aimed at restoring voting rights to felons who have completed the terms of their sentences. But the 39-year-old father of three is afraid voting might put him back behind bars.

The federal trial over a 2018 Florida law requiring felons to pay off their fines and penalties is underway. Plaintiffs argued Tuesday about how difficult that can be.

The trial over whether a state law can require felons to pay back fines and fees before voting started Monday morning.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that testimony and expert statements for the trial over a 2018 state law regarding felon voting will be conducted…

The U.S 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously denied the state’s request for a rehearing in a case over felon voting rights in Florida. A…

Indigent felons can’t be required to pay fines and fees left over from their sentence before they can register to vote, according to a ruling from the…

The Florida Supreme Court agrees with Governor Ron DeSantis that fines, fees and restitution are part of all terms of a criminal’s sentence. The question…