West Virginia gives convicted felons chance to reduce crime to misdemeanor

[Text Drivers are Killers]

This is a good thing though i do think requiring the applicant to be clean for 10 years is too long. All states and the Feds need to do something like this.

http://wvmetronews.com/2017/07/10/second-chance-for-employment-act-takes-effect-in-west-virginia/

july 10 2017 Non-violent felons can petition the court to have their sentences reduced to misdemeanors, according to a new law in West Virginia.

The West Virginia Second Chance for Employment Act took effect Friday.

Governor Jim Justice signed the bill in April after it passed the Legislature during this year’s session.

Senator Glen Jeffries (D-Putnam, 08) introduced the bill after meeting with several business owners who wanted to hire people, but were not able to due to their previous felony convictions

According to the new law, a person has to be clean for at least 10 years before filing a petition.

 

[Text Drivers are Killers]

We need to redefine what a felony is. Right now any crime for which the statute says you could (not did but could) have gotten a year or more in prison is a felony!!! That should be raised to say 15 years.

 

[SmarterthanYou]

the first problem with this whole fucked up scenario is letting government determine who can and cannot work in certain fields because of a criminal record they enforce. the implications are so far beyond the pale, that dictatorship is even a understatement.

 

[Text Drivers are Killers]

the first problem with this whole fucked up scenario is letting government determine who can and cannot work in certain fields because of a criminal record they enforce. .

I don't know about that. Are you saying companies should be free to hire anyone they wish irregardless of past crimes?

 

[tsuke]

This is a good thing though i do think requiring the applicant to be clean for 10 years is too long. All states and the Feds need to do something like this.

but what about reckless drivers? : )

 

[SmarterthanYou]

I don't know about that. Are you saying companies should be free to hire anyone they wish irregardless of past crimes?

yes, I am. if a person can't be trusted out in public, he/she shouldn't be out in public.

 

[Text Drivers are Killers]

but what about reckless drivers? : )

They are seldom convicted of felonies but they should be and there should be no relief for them since reckless driving is extremely violent. THINK