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Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Florida

How Florida law treats restoring rights after a felony, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Clemency (pardons, restoration of civil rights, commutations) is granted by the Governor with the approval of two members of the Cabinet (the Board of Executive Clemency); Fla. Stat. §§ 940.01, 940.03, 940.05, 98.0751, 40.013(1), 790.23

Restoring rights after a felonyClemency (pardons, restoration of civil rights, commutations) is granted by the Governor with the approval of two members of the Cabinet (the Board of Executive Clemency); applications go through the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Voting returns automatically after all terms of the sentence are completed, except for murder and felony sexual offenses (§ 98.0751). Jury service: anyone convicted of a felony is disqualified 'unless restored to civil rights.' Firearms: the felon firearm ban does not apply once the person's civil rights and firearm authority have been restored or the record expunged.
Jury: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0040/0040.html ; voting: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0098/0098.html ; firearms (existing record): http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0790/0790.html . Read in The 2026 Florida Statutes (Online Sunshine).
Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 940.01, 940.03, 940.05, 98.0751, 40.013(1), 790.23

More Florida criminal law

FAQ

How do you restore your rights after a felony in Florida?
Clemency (pardons, restoration of civil rights, commutations) is granted by the Governor with the approval of two members of the Cabinet (the Board of Executive Clemency); applications go through the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Voting returns automatically after all terms of the sentence are completed, except for murder and felony sexual offenses (§ 98.0751). Jury service: anyone convicted of a felony is disqualified 'unless restored to civil rights.' Firearms: the felon firearm ban does not apply once the person's civil rights and firearm authority have been restored or the record expunged.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.