Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Ohio

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

Short answer: Voting returns automatically on release from incarceration. A felony conviction otherwise makes a person incompetent to serve as a juror or to hold an office of honor, trust or profit, and the statute restores those rights only through a full pardon from the Governor (which also restores… R.C. 2961.01(A); R.C. 2313.17(A)-(B); R.C. 2923.14

Restoring rights after a felony	Voting returns automatically on release from incarceration. A felony conviction otherwise makes a person incompetent to serve as a juror or to hold an office of honor, trust or profit, and the statute restores those rights only through a full pardon from the Governor (which also restores voting). Firearm rights: a person under a firearm disability may apply to the court of common pleas in the county of residence for relief; the court may grant it if the person has been fully discharged from prison, community control, post-release control and parole, has led a law-abiding life since, and is not otherwise barred by law. Relief is not available to someone convicted under 2923.132 or convicted twice of a felony with certain firearm specifications. Jury: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2313.17 ; firearms relief: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2923.14 Source: R.C. 2961.01(A); R.C. 2313.17(A)-(B); R.C. 2923.14

Restoring rights after a felony

Voting returns automatically on release from incarceration. A felony conviction otherwise makes a person incompetent to serve as a juror or to hold an office of honor, trust or profit, and the statute restores those rights only through a full pardon from the Governor (which also restores voting). Firearm rights: a person under a firearm disability may apply to the court of common pleas in the county of residence for relief; the court may grant it if the person has been fully discharged from prison, community control, post-release control and parole, has led a law-abiding life since, and is not otherwise barred by law. Relief is not available to someone convicted under 2923.132 or convicted twice of a felony with certain firearm specifications.

Jury: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2313.17 ; firearms relief: https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2923.14

Source: R.C. 2961.01(A); R.C. 2313.17(A)-(B); R.C. 2923.14

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FAQ

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

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.