Keywords
criminal record, employment, public housing, public assistance, food stamps, student loans, voting rights, drivers' license, foster parents, adoptive parents
Abstract
State and federal statutory restrictions limit the civil rights of individuals with criminal records and create a barrier to reentry into society. The article explores eight specific areas of restriction: (1) ability to obtain employment, (2) eligibility for public housing, (3) eligibility for public assistance and food stamps, (4) eligibility for student loans, (5) access to records for non-criminal justice purposes, (6) voting rights, (7) drivers' licenses privileges, and (8) rights to be foster and adoptive parents. Finally, the article argues that the government has an obligation ensure fairness and opportunities to reenter society for people with such records.
Recommended Citation
Debbie A. Mukamal and Paul N. Samuels,
Statutory Limitations on Civil Rights of People with Criminal Records,
30 Fordham Urb. L.J. 1501
(2003).
Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol30/iss5/1