Restoring Civil Rights After a Felony in Wisconsin

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

Short answer: Most civil rights return automatically: a person convicted of a crime is restored to civil rights by serving out the term of imprisonment or otherwise satisfying the sentence, and the Department of Corrections' certificate lists which rights are and are not restored. Wis. Stat. §§ 304.078(2)-(3), 756.02, 941.29(5); Wis. Const. art. XIII, § 3(2); art. V, § 6

Restoring rights after a felony	Most civil rights return automatically: a person convicted of a crime is restored to civil rights by serving out the term of imprisonment or otherwise satisfying the sentence, and the Department of Corrections' certificate lists which rights are and are not restored. Voting returns when imprisonment (including parole and extended supervision) or probation ends. Jury service is open to a person with a felony conviction once civil rights are restored. Holding state or local office: a person convicted of a felony is not eligible unless pardoned. Firearms: the felon-in-possession ban does not apply to a person who has received a pardon and been expressly authorized to possess a firearm under federal law, or who obtained federal relief from disabilities. The Governor grants pardons after conviction (except for treason and impeachment). Also: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/756.02 ; https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/941.29 ; constitution https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/constitution/wi.pdf Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 304.078(2)-(3), 756.02, 941.29(5); Wis. Const. art. XIII, § 3(2); art. V, § 6

Restoring rights after a felony

Most civil rights return automatically: a person convicted of a crime is restored to civil rights by serving out the term of imprisonment or otherwise satisfying the sentence, and the Department of Corrections' certificate lists which rights are and are not restored. Voting returns when imprisonment (including parole and extended supervision) or probation ends. Jury service is open to a person with a felony conviction once civil rights are restored. Holding state or local office: a person convicted of a felony is not eligible unless pardoned. Firearms: the felon-in-possession ban does not apply to a person who has received a pardon and been expressly authorized to possess a firearm under federal law, or who obtained federal relief from disabilities. The Governor grants pardons after conviction (except for treason and impeachment).

Also: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/756.02 ; https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/941.29 ; constitution https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/constitution/wi.pdf

Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 304.078(2)-(3), 756.02, 941.29(5); Wis. Const. art. XIII, § 3(2); art. V, § 6

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FAQ

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

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.