August 4, 2017 - MONTGOMERY - Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill would like to remind the People of Alabama of a law change passed by the Alabama State Legislature in the 2017 Legislative Session, which defines the crimes considered by the state as involving moral turpitude.
Previously, Registrars (as appointed by the Governor, Auditor, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry) had the sole discretion to determine whether a crime involved moral turpitude or not. This change will define those crimes which count in the state as crimes of moral turpitude.
The crimes that are considered crimes that involve moral turpitude are as follows:
Manslaughter
Assault
Kidnapping in the 1st or 2nd degree
Endangering the water supply
Possession, manufacture, transport or distribution of a destructive device or biological weapon
Selling, furnishing or giving away a destructive device or biological weapon
Possession, manufacture, transport or distribution of a detonator, explosive, poison or hoax device
Possession or distribution of a hoax device represented a destructive device or weapon
Attempt to commit an explosive or destructive device or biological weapon crime
Conspiracy to attempt an explosive or destructive device or biological weapon crime
Hindrance or obstruction during detection, disarming or destruction of a destructive device
Possession or distribution of a destructive device or weapon intended to cause injury or destruction
Trafficking in cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, or other illegal drugs
Bigamy
Torture or willful maltreatment of a child under the age of 18
Aggravated child abuse
Prohibited acts in the offer, sale, or purchase of securities
Burglary
Theft of Property
Theft of lost property
Theft of trademarks or trade secrets
Robbery
Forgery
For a voter to restore their voting rights without a full pardon, you must meet the following requirements:
- No pending criminal charges
- Completed full sentence, pardon/probation, OR been pardoned
- Paid all fines, fees, and restitution ordered at the time of the sentence on the disqualifying felony (post-conviction fees are not included)
In addition to the crimes above, some crimes require voters to remain ineligible to vote unless they receive a full pardon. The crimes that require a pardon before voting rights can be restored are as follows:
Murder
Rape
Sodomy
Sexual abuse
Sexual torture
Enticing a child to enter a vehicle for immoral purposes
Soliciting a child by computer
Production of obscene matter
Parents or guardians permitting children to engage in obscene matter
Possession of obscene matter
Possession with intent to distribute child pornography
Alabamians in this category and wish to seek a full pardon should contact the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles at (334) 353-7771 or (334) 353-8067.
Beyond the crimes listed above two crimes render a voter permanently ineligible to vote in any future elections. Elections that permanently disqualify a voter from participation are as follows:
Treason
Impeachment
Voters that have never been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude are eligible to register and vote during their incarceration. Alabamians that believe they are eligible to to have their voting rights restored, should contact the local Pardons and Paroles office in the county that they live in.
Alabamians that wish to register to vote, update their information or check their current registration status can visit alabamavotes.gov or call 1(800)274-8683.
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