Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Re: feanlly rights

Your voting rights, and all civil rights except the right to possess firearms, are restored upon successful completion of supervision with the Department of Corrections. Typically, such an order is entered without having to return to court.

If your supervision was termintated without having completed all of the conditons of the judgment and sentence, e.g. you have remaining legal financial obligations, your civil rights have not been restored.

Whether you qualify for restoration of firearm rights depends on the seriousness or classification of the underlying crimes.

If you have been convicted of a class A felony or sex offense, the possibility of regaining gun rights is slim. For class B and C felonies, at least 5 years must have passed since the date of conviction { or release from custody, if later ) of your most recent crime. Additionally, you must have either a certificate and order of discharge or an order terminating supervision.

To determine whether you are currently eligible for restoration of your firearem rights, visit www.washrecord.com for a summary of applicable law. If you were convicted of a class A felony or sex offense, review FAQ #3 and read the recent Division III Court of Appeals opinion in Smith v. Washington (hyperlink).