MoPoDC Poet: Virginia Restoration of Rights "Yes We Can"

Packet of Information: Please Let Me Know The Outcome of Your Applying: Email me at MoPoDC@gmail.com and Someone will contact you to discuss

View a letter from the Governor about Restoration of Rights (pdf, 50kb)
FAQ's

If you have lost the right to vote as a result of a felony conviction in a Virginia court, a U.S. District or a military court, you must have your rights restored in order to qualify for voter registration. The restoration of rights restores the rights to vote, to run for and hold public office, to serve on juries and to serve as a notary public. It does not include the right to possess or transport any firearm or to carry a concealed weapon.

In order to be eligible for restoration of rights by the Governor, an applicant must:

Must be a resident of Virginia, and/or have been convicted of a felony in a Virginia court, a U.S. District court or a military court
be free from any sentence served or supervised probation and parole for a minimum of two years for a non-violent offense or five years for a violent felony or drug distribution, drug manufacturing offense, any crimes against a minor, or an election law offense.
have paid all court costs, fines, penalties and restitution and have no felony or misdemeanor charges pending.
not have had a DWI in the five years immediately preceding the application.
Not have any misdemeanor convictions and/or pending criminal charges 2 years preceding the application for non-violent felonies or five years for a violent felony or drug distribution, drug manufacturing offense, any crimes against a minor, or an election law offense.

You can download the appropriate application below and, when completed, mail it to this office. Or, if you prefer, we’ll send you a form if you provide a mailing address. On your application, be sure to provide the specific offense(s) and the exact date(s) of sentencing. If you do not have this information, you can get it by requesting a Criminal History Record through the Virginia State Police at (804) 674-6718 or online at their website, www.vsp.state.va.us.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth Office will conduct a criminal history and DMV record check on all applicants. Petitioners will be sent notice of the Governor’s decision within 60 days from the time an application is considered complete. Petitions are reviewed in the order in which they are received AND complete. If available, 2 Year Applicants are encouraged to include a certified copy of the felony sentencing order and proof of payment of court ordered costs, fines and/or restitution to significantly expedite the decision making process.

If your petition for restoration of rights is denied, you have no right of appeal – but you may reapply after a one-year period.

The restoration of civil rights:

Does not restore the right to possess a firearm,
Will not expunge a criminal conviction, Virginia does not have an Expungements process for felony or misdemeanor convictions.
Is not a pardon.

A person who has been convicted of a felony must first have his or her rights restored in order to be considered for a pardon.

To regain state firearms privileges, a convicted felon must apply to the circuit court of his or her jurisdiction of residence for a permit to possess or carry a firearm. Circuit courts may consider the restoration of firearms privileges only after civil rights are restored. (Va. Code §18.2-308.2)

Feel free to contact Micah Womack, Director of Rights Restoration or Candice Reid, Asst. Director, at (804)786-2441 if you have any questions and/or would like to request an application mailed to you.

Criteria for Restoration of Rights

Felony convictions for which an applicant must complete the 2 Year Application:

Embezzlement
Welfare Fraud
Habitual Offender
Grand Larceny
Drug Possession (must not be Drug Possession with the Intent to Distribute)
Breaking and Entering
Burglary/Statutory Burglary/Possession of Burglarious Tools
Obtain Money by False Pretenses
Prescription Fraud/Obtain Drugs by Fraud
Petit Larceny, 3rd or Subsequent Offense
Felonious Shoplifting/Concealment/Price Altering
Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Intoxicated, 3rd or Subsequent Offense
Credit Card Theft/Credit Card Fraud/Credit Card Forgery
Identity Theft
Mail Theft/Mail Fraud
Bank Fraud
Issuing Bad Checks/Worthless Checks
Felony Eluding Police
Forgery
Uttering
Perjury
False Statement on Firearm Transaction Record
Unlawful Possession of a Concealed Weapon

Felony convictions for which an applicant must complete the 5 Year Application:

Drug Possession with the Intent to Distribute
Drug Distribution
Drug Manufacturing
Robbery
Malicious/Unlawful Wounding
Felonious Assault
Maiming
Murder
Manslaughter – Involuntary or Voluntary
Production, publication, sale, financing, etc., of child pornography
Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle or Building
Arson of an Occupied Vehicle or Building
Hit & Run/Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injury
Election Fraud
Rape
Forcible Sodomy/Sodomy of a Minor
Carnal Knowledge of a Minor
Carnal Knowledge of an Inmate by Correctional or Law Enforcement Officer
Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Rape or Assault
Accommodation Sale of a Controlled Substance
Child Abuse/Neglect

If you have questions regarding which form you need to fill out, please contact Micah Womack, Director of Rights Restoration or Candice Reid, Asst. Director, at (804)786-2441.

2 Year Applicants