DBA
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- May 10, 2015
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Indeed, the scale of the issue is unknown even to some clerks of court. When the Sun Sentinel asked the office of Broward County Clerk of Courts Brenda Forman how much money felons owed in fines in Broward County, the clerk’s office replied that it would take hours of clerical and computer work to find the number. The newspaper was charged $150 for the time and effort. The Palm Beach clerk’s office was able to provide the data quickly and at no cost.
Fines imposed for felonies can be substantial. Under Florida law, felonies are broken down into four categories: Third, second and first degree and life felonies, in order of seriousness. Third-degree felonies can carry a $5,000 fine, second- and first-degree a $10,000 fine and life felonies a $15,000 fine. And none of these numbers include fees and other court costs, or restitution to victims that courts may impose on felons.
And some individual crimes can carry much higher fines. For example, marijuana trafficking in Florida involves 25 pounds or more of the plant. Those convicted of trafficking who are caught with 25 to 2,000 pounds or more than 300 plants face a $25,000 fine. If it’s 2,000 to 10,000 pounds or more than 2,000 plants, the sentence comes with a $50,000
South Florida felons owe a billion dollars in fines — and that will affect their ability to vote
they can also suspend drivers license. Man oh man. They sure want to keep people in a bind.
Perhaps they can make all the wealthy people who owe taxes pay up before they vote.
Voting rights are rights, and no amount of money should take that away.
Does it bother you at all to know that if felons in prison, if allowed to vote, would vote overwhelmingly in favor of YOUR party. Have you stepped back to think why that is? Despite all the cutesy stories about felons who are really good people and have been wrongly convicted, the VAST majority are actually bad people with bad intentions and will likely commit more crimes after they are released.