Arguments Against Felon

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When convicted of a felony, the highest class of crime, he/she becomes a convicted felon for life even after time in prison is served. It is common belief that the only person more threatening than a convicted felon is one who has not been caught. As a result of this notion, laws have been set in place to prohibit felons from traveling abroad, owning guns, obtaining certain jobs, voting, etc. Voting is a constitutional right and furthermore commonly considered one of the exceedingly precious civil rights, therefore believed those rights should not be taken no matter the person’s morale. Others believe strongly believe if you are a felon, you should not be trusted. Voting rights are only lost completely in two states, only while incarcerated …show more content…
The advocate of this topic is commonly argued that if felons cannot be trusted with voting or other civil liberties, then why were they released from prison? “We let ex-convicts marry, reproduce, buy beer, own property and drive. [...] But in many places, the assumption is that they can not be trusted to help choose our leaders”(Steve Chapman qtd. in procon.org). On the contrary, others believe that once the felons are convicted they have proven themselves to be untrustworthy. The main point of the argument is that if the mentally incapable- which they believe include non-U.S. citizens, children, felons, and more- were allowed to have their say in our government it would not be an accurate representation of what Americans want (Roger Clegg, …show more content…
Although it might be legal for them to vote there are numerous requirements that these ex-convicts are unable to meet. After being released it is tough for felons to find a job and retain stability, therefore it is almost impossible for them to compensate the overdue payments necessary for them to regain the right. One person fighting for felon’s right is Virginia’s past governor Robert McDonnell and he states, “I believe that once an offender has fully paid his debt to society, he deserves a second chance… It is a mark of good government to restore felons' rights and provide them the opportunity to succeed and become law-abiding citizens again” (qtd. in procon.org). The con side of the argument believes that these felons should have kept what is at stake in mind before they committed their crime. A few even believe that they should be ordered to work and show an effort to regain their lost rights (Risk Scott,

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