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Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction: A National Study of State Legal Codes 10 Years Later

NCJ Number
167472
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1996) Pages: 10-17
Author(s)
K M Olivares; V S Burton Jr; F T Cullen
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study surveys all 1996 State and Federal statutes to ascertain which civil rights and privileges are the most frequently restricted after a felony conviction.
Abstract
The study attempts to replicate a study of 1986 State legal codes, compares the findings, assesses whether States have become more or less restrictive of convicted felons' rights, and identifies rights most and least restricted. Results are presented in tabular form to assess restricted rights across jurisdictions. The study includes analysis of States' actions with regard to: (1) denial of the right to vote; (2) termination of parental rights; (3) felony conviction as a legal ground for divorce; (4) denial of public employment; (5) restriction of the right to serve as a juror; (6) right to hold public office; (7) right to own a firearm; (8) criminal registration; and (9) civil death. Six of the nine civil rights are restricted by more jurisdictions in 1996 than in 1986. The legislative mandate to register as a criminal with a law enforcement agency has been the most significantly increased restriction among jurisdictions over the past 10 years. Tables, notes, references