Source

State Archives of Florida, Series S2068

Description

These notes (two pages) were created by Governor Charlie Crist during the April 5, 2007, meeting of the Executive Clemency Board. They reveal the governor's thoughts and arguments regarding the change in the Board's rules.

Date

2007-04-05

Creator

Crist, Charlie, Jr., 1956-

Format

Notes

Coverage

21st-Century Florida (2000-present)

Topic

Politics And Government

Subjects

Clemency
Florida--Governor (2007-2011 : Crist)
Meetings--Florida--Leon County--Tallahassee

Geographic Term

Florida

General Note

Each of Florida's state constitutions since 1838 have contained provisions restricting the civil rights of convicted felons. Until 1974, the only way to restore these rights was to submit an appeal to the Executive Clemency Board (formerly the State Pardons Board), composed of the members of the Cabinet and chaired by the Governor. The Florida Correctional Reform Act of 1974 provided for automatic reinstatement of a convicted felon's civil rights upon the completion of his sentence, but the Florida Supreme Court later struck down that law on the grounds that clemency powers are constitutionally reserved for the executive. In 1975, the Executive Clemency Board - led by Governor Reubin Askew - issued a rule with essentially the same provisions as the 1974 act. In 1991, a new rule changed the process yet again and required convicted felons to apply for their rights to be restored. In April 2007, the Executive Clemency Board - then chaired by Governor Charlie Crist - amended its policies to permit automatic restoration of civil rights for many felons who committed nonviolent offenses. The Board rolled back this provision in 2011 under Governor Rick Scott's leadership. In 2018, Florida voters approved the Voting Restoration Amendment, which made automatic restoration of voting rights to convicted felons upon completion of their sentences a constitutional right, with the exception of felons convicted of murder or felony sexual assault.