Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Louisiana

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

Short answer: Louisiana's Constitution says full rights of citizenship are restored when state and federal supervision ends after a conviction for any offense. La. Const. art. I, §20; La. R.S. 15:572(A)-(D); R.S. 14:95.1

Restoring rights after a felony	Louisiana's Constitution says full rights of citizenship are restored when state and federal supervision ends after a conviction for any offense. A first offender (never before convicted of a felony) is pardoned automatically on completing the sentence, without action by the Board of Pardons or the governor, but only if all court costs for the conviction have been paid; the Division of Probation and Parole issues a certificate stating the person has all rights of citizenship and franchise. Other pardons and commutations are granted by the governor on the recommendation of the Board of Pardons. Firearms are separate: people convicted of the felonies listed in the felon-in-possession law may not possess a firearm until 10 years after completing the sentence, probation or parole, with no felony conviction in that time. R.S. 15:572: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=79202; R.S. 14:95.1: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=78740. A first-offender automatic pardon does not exempt a person from sex offender registration (R.S. 15:572(B)(2)). Voter registration must still be reinstated under R.S. 18:177. Source: La. Const. art. I, §20; La. R.S. 15:572(A)-(D); R.S. 14:95.1

Restoring rights after a felony

Louisiana's Constitution says full rights of citizenship are restored when state and federal supervision ends after a conviction for any offense. A first offender (never before convicted of a felony) is pardoned automatically on completing the sentence, without action by the Board of Pardons or the governor, but only if all court costs for the conviction have been paid; the Division of Probation and Parole issues a certificate stating the person has all rights of citizenship and franchise. Other pardons and commutations are granted by the governor on the recommendation of the Board of Pardons. Firearms are separate: people convicted of the felonies listed in the felon-in-possession law may not possess a firearm until 10 years after completing the sentence, probation or parole, with no felony conviction in that time.

R.S. 15:572: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=79202; R.S. 14:95.1: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=78740. A first-offender automatic pardon does not exempt a person from sex offender registration (R.S. 15:572(B)(2)). Voter registration must still be reinstated under R.S. 18:177.

Source: La. Const. art. I, §20; La. R.S. 15:572(A)-(D); R.S. 14:95.1

More Louisiana criminal law

FAQ

How do you restore your rights after a felony in Louisiana?

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.