The right of felons to vote has become a political football lately. In Florida, felons can vote. Recently, the Republican controlled legislature passed a law stating that felons can’t vote unless they fulfill all aspects of their sentence including probation. A recent ruling declared that must include all restitution and court fines and fees. This ruling is being contested in the courts, and we will hear a lot more about that in the future.

Recently, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg raised some $16 million for a fund established by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition to help felons who have completed their sentences vote in the upcoming election. He is using that money to pay the outstanding fines and restitution for Florida felons. Most people assume that he is doing that because he assumes that the felons will vote for the democratic candidates in the next election. This is a real benefit for the felons themselves and the local court systems who will experience an influx of cash.

Florida’s attorney general is asking law enforcement agencies to open an investigation of a contribution made by billionaire and former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg to help pay the fines and court fees of felons.

The Bloomberg donation spurred a reaction from U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., an outspoken Trump ally. On Fox News this week, Gaetz called on Florida’s attorney general to investigate whether Bloomberg was violating state law.

This is really getting interesting.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.