Posted on 05/24/2020 5:41:01 PM PDT by napscoordinator
TALLAHASSEE — A Florida law requiring felons to pay legal fees as part of their sentences before regaining the vote is unconstitutional for those unable to pay, or unable to find out how much they owe, a federal judge ruled Sunday.
The 125-page ruling was issued by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee. It involves a state law to implement a 2016 ballot measure approved by voters to automatically restore the right to vote for many felons who have completed their sentence. The Republican-led Legislature stipulated that fines and legal fees must be paid as part of the sentence, in addition to serving any prison time.
Hinkle has acknowledged he is unlikely to have the last word in the case, expecting the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to launch an appeal.
The case could have deep ramifications in the crucial electoral battleground given that Florida has an estimated 774,000 disenfranchised felons who are barred because of financial obligations. Many of those felons are African Americans and presumably Democrats, though it’s unclear how that group of Floridians overall would lean politically in an election and how many would vote.
(Excerpt) Read more at news-journalonline.com ...
I agree. It is in the Constitution. They should also be able to carry.
So this judge wants to make sure that incompetent and stupid criminals can vote.
Yep. What is frustrating is that not only is he a Clinton Judge, but he is a retired judge. I am sick of these retired judges getting these cases. Why do they keep getting cases after they retire????? Seems ridiculous. Obviously this was judge shopped to ensure this outcome.
“Now we have over 700K new voters who majority will vote for Biden”
Hardly. By the time the appeals process is completed the election will long be over.
Clinton ‘RAT Judge, of course.
Above all, they want to make sure they can vote Democrat.
Ex-felons. Did they have their convictions overturned? /s
This judge thinks they should not be required to do so.
Our Republican representation is useless. Where are they on this ? If they do not immediately viciously attack and override this judicial overreach then they are not on our side.
Clinton appointee, undistinguished record, won’t likely be totally upheld. May save some of his order. Judicial busybody. Even Obama wouldn’t promote him.
“A Florida law requiring felons to pay legal fees as part of their sentences before regaining the vote is unconstitutional for those unable to pay”
No surprise that a Clinton judge is ignorant of the Constitution, quoting the 14th amendment:
“states may abridge the right to vote of citizens for participation in rebellion, or other crime.”
Expect the Republican controlled 11th circuit to reverse this ruling before the election.
Fines aren’t part of a sentence?
Strange.
Normal move to senior status [reduced caseload] happens at 66-67.
Hinkle is 69 in November.
We can thank our stars that he opened up a seat for a Trump Federalist Society judge instead of Corpseburging it.
There were enough conservative IDIOTS to push it through...so now we lose the country, but at least those idiots feel good about it
I’m amazed at all the people here who have faith in our legal system. “File a lawsuit. File a lawsuit...”
We are going to lose in November even with the best effort of Trump and MAGA mania. The GOP is giving it away as fast as the left steals it away.
Most hopeful thread!!!!! Thank you for it.
So true. Well probably lose the senate as well.
Once your debt is repaid in full to society, I have no issue in restoring ALL constitutional rights, including Second Amendment rights,
to former felons.
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