Have you been convicted of a felony offense? In that case, you have likely lost your civil rights. What does that mean exactly? Though state laws vary from state to state, it generally means that you have lost the following rights:

• The right to possess or own a firearm.
• The right to vote.
• The right to serve on a jury.
• The right to obtain certain professional licenses.

If you wish to own a firearm, or vote in a presidential election, or obtain a specific occupational license, you will have to restore your civil rights first. If you have never been convicted of a felony, only a misdemeanor, then you should not have lost your civil rights.

You should not need to have your civil rights restored if:

• You were only convicted of misdemeanors.
• You have never been convicted of a felony.
• You were charged with a felony, but it was dropped or acquitted.

Other Considerations That Affect Gun Rights

Were you arrested for domestic violence or family violence? Are there pending charges against you? If your answer is yes, depending on your state's gun laws, you may be considered a "prohibited possessor," which means that you are prohibited from possessing firearms.

Are you eligible?

If you were convicted of a felony and you are interested in having your civil rights restored, the first course of action is to determine if you are eligible.

While the specific requirements will depend on your state's laws and protocol, generally you have to: 1) complete your sentence (imprisonment, probation, parole, community control etc.), 2) you cannot have any pending criminal charges, and 3) you must have paid all court fees and restitution that were ordered by the court.

If you believe you have met all the requirements, you may be eligible for civil rights restoration. To get started, contact a criminal defense attorney for help!