Help convicted felons from discrimination from employers

    
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America is the greatest country in the world! It is a land where a person can reach any goal or dream that they set out to achieve. There are supposed to be no limitations as to what a person can aspire to become.

However we, as Americans, know that this is not always the case. There has always been prejudice, racism, and discrimination in this nation and that is a fact. We, as Americans, must stick together in our constant pursuit of justice. That is why I ask you to sign this petition; to help some convicted felons restore their rights, as Americans.
And let's ask our representatives to at least give an individual who has made a mistake in their life, an opportunity to move on and not be held back because of a mistake that they have made at one point in their life.

The fact is that each state spends an astronomical amount of money to rehabilitate inmates, only to release them to a nation that simply discriminates against them. Let's stop this discrimination now! We should simply ask that convicted felons should at least be given a chance to prove that they are productive members of society. They, too, are Americans and deserve a chance to live in this country without discrimination.


At this point, the state of West Virginia, along with almost all states in America, does not allow an ex-felon to even petition the court for expungement. Can't we at least allow our judges to determine if sealing or expunging a persons record is in the best interest of not only the petitioner, but our country, as well?

I agree that there are some crimes that should not be forgiven, such as Child Molestation, Rape, and even Murder. Common sense tells us that people who commit such horrific crimes should be, at least, labeled and limited for the safety of our nation. There are, however, millions of Americans who commit crimes at a young age, such as Burglary, drug offenses and even Robbery, who forever pay for their crimes.

Even though they have paid their debt back to society, they are forever shadowed by their past. This is a serious problem for our nation. The only job market that will accept these "cons" are for mostly blue-collar jobs and that market is being overrun with migrant workers.

Some of these ex-cons are very talented individuals, who have truly turned their lives around and know now, more than most of us, how valuable liberty is. Thus, these individuals, if given the chance, could be very productive members of our society.

Even though the percentage of individuals who commit crimes and then break free from a criminal lifestyle once released from an institution is very low, the small group of individuals that do change should be, at least, given an opportunity to put it behind them and move on. So if you agree that convicted felons should be entitled to at least a chance after release, please sign this petition.

*Remedies Sought:

1) Begin categorizing felons by the nature of their crimes, therefore deciding at the time of conviction if the nature of the crime should be disclosed to potential employers in the future.

2) Set criteria for felons to meet once conviction has been rendered; such criteria to enable one convicted of a felony a type of guideline.*

*That, if followed, will allow such person an opportunity to file a motion with the sentencing court for consideration of expungement or sealing of that person's record. Thereby allowing such person an opportunity for meaningful future employment.

3) Set a Youthful Indiscretion Act into affect, allowing young men and woman an opportunity to move beyond mistakes that they have made in their young adult lives.

The fact is, this country is prejudiced and discrimination is taking place every time a felon has to disclose their past. It's time to move beyond our past and stop being discriminated against!
Please allow us the opportunity to let our skills, character, references and education speak for us, rather than our past