All Laws Decoded

Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Pennsylvania

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

Short answer: Voting returns automatically on release from incarceration. Jury service is barred for anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison unless they have received a pardon or amnesty. 42 Pa.C.S. § 4502(a)(3); 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105(a), (a.1)(1), (d)

Restoring rights after a felonyVoting returns automatically on release from incarceration. Jury service is barred for anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison unless they have received a pardon or amnesty. People convicted of offenses listed in the firearms law (or a felony drug offense) may not possess firearms regardless of sentence length; a court of common pleas must grant relief if the conviction was vacated or received a full pardon from the Governor, or certain federal relief conditions are met. Possessing a firearm in violation of the ban after a listed felony is a felony of the second degree.
Firearms: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chapter=61&section=5&subsctn=0 . Voting: Department of State guidance (see felon_voting_rights).
Source: 42 Pa.C.S. § 4502(a)(3); 18 Pa.C.S. § 6105(a), (a.1)(1), (d)

More Pennsylvania criminal law

FAQ

How do you restore your rights after a felony in Pennsylvania?
Voting returns automatically on release from incarceration. Jury service is barred for anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison unless they have received a pardon or amnesty. People convicted of offenses listed in the firearms law (or a felony drug offense) may not possess firearms regardless of sentence length; a court of common pleas must grant relief if the conviction was vacated or received a full pardon from the Governor, or certain federal relief conditions are met. Possessing a firearm in violation of the ban after a listed felony is a felony of the second degree.

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.