The U.S. constitution does not prevent convicted felons from holding the office of the President or a seat in the Senate or House of Representatives. States may prevent convicted felons candidates from holding statewide and local offices.
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Electoral District (2011):
As long as it wasn't committed while in office, it wasn't a serious crime just petty crimes from 10 or more years ago (10 minimum) and they are done serving their sentence
@9MB3VWL11mos11MO
Yes, but it cant be a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime and the have to wait 4-10 years depending on severity
@9KTPG4N1yr1Y
As long as the crime is made public and they have finished serving all their time includung community service etc.
@9GD6Z4W1yr1Y
Yes, however it is dependent on the severity of the crime and how long ago said politician committed the crime.
@9FFLRK32yrs2Y
it really depends on the crime, it doesnt matter if they have served their sentence. if its petty theift then yes but if its murder and/or rape,then definitely not.
@9FDTWFR2yrs2Y
No, unless they were falsely accused
@9D4TXT92yrs2Y
Yes, depending on how many years it has been since the crime was committed.
@8TX4X5TConservative4yrs4Y
All depends on the crime. I believe people can rehabilitate. But I also believe that by making bad decisions you should lose some privileges
@B3XLXLZ1mo1MO
I think yes but only if they are accompanied by a well trusted fellow politician to make sure nothing goes wrong
@9VHLKZC 6mos6MO
It depends on the crime. If it was theft then yeah they should be able to run for office but if it was murder or attempted murder then no they shouldn't be able to run for office
@9TX8DMH7mos7MO
No, however in the case of President Donald Trump all of the charges were phony so that doesn't count.
@9TJDHNWNew Democratic7mos7MO
If they have served their sentence and if they have truly become a better person, and government should still keep an eye on them
@9SSPZP48mos8MO
Depends what it is. People as kids or youth make mistakes. If they had committed a crime, it wasn’t a persons offence, sexual, or fraudulent and they have done their time then yes.
@9SL8SK78mos8MO
Yes as long as it doesn’t define their character. Cases are complex and should be perceived based on the details and origin
@9S7FHS9New Democratic8mos8MO
The severity of the crime and when it was committed should come into play. If someone was a teenager and shoplifted something and then runs for office 30+ years later then I’m fine.
yes, as long they finished serving their sentence, and no investigation, that they are in the clear, that it is clear they will never do it again and that if its forgivable.
@9HXRKT81yr1Y
Yes, as long as a they have served their sentence and meet extra security clearance background checks l.
@9FKYBNN2yrs2Y
Depends if it was a felony
@9FJ6Y4R2yrs2Y
it depends, if they were convicted of something minor then it shouldn't be able to affect the ability to run for office. but if it's something major, like convicted for murder and tax fraud. then it should be reocnsidered.
@9F9F3LM2yrs2Y
As long as its a victimless crime
@9F955RV2yrs2Y
Second chances are always good
@9DZXPT62yrs2Y
Well was the person wrongfully convicted or maybe create a minor crime than I think that maybe they should be allowed to run for office but for the most part no they shouldn't be allowed to run.
@B26KGFB4mos4MO
There needs to be an exhaustive list of unacceptable crimes. Also, "felony" is an American term and doesn't belong here.
@8JRM9DF4yrs4Y
That completely depends on the crime.
@9BMT5FJ2yrs2Y
Yes as long as the crime was not terrible and can cause harm to the country
@9BKL9DS2yrs2Y
All depends on the specific situation.
@96JHSV83yrs3Y
Yes, as long as they are not threatening the society any more.
@969T38Q3yrs3Y
depending on what the crime was and how long ago it happened and if they have changed or not
@965GF9M3yrs3Y
It depends on the crime and circumstances.
@95YN23R3yrs3Y
as long as it isnt to bad
@95TD6H93yrs3Y
depends how serious the crime was and if it was the only crime commited.
give him or her a second chance and if it happens again then dont allow hi or her to run office
@95J3WRB3yrs3Y
The answer depends on the level of severity of the crime that was committed and how long ago it was.
@95HS9GSNew Democratic3yrs3Y
Depends on the crime and condition of the politician while the crime was committed
Yes, on a case by case basis regarding what their conviction was for
@93VDKTT3yrs3Y
yes, but depends on the type of crime that was committed. and when it was committed
@8ZV24PS3yrs3Y
yes as long as they were not guilty of a felony violent, sexual or financial crime
@8ZBWYHP3yrs3Y
It depends on how major of a crime it was and how long ago it was committed
@8Z82ZM23yrs3Y
Yes, as long as it wasn't a felony, violent, financial, or serious crime against ones human rights. However, I will say that some people who may have had an anger issue and made bad decisions in their youth, may have turned their lives around and have meaningful knowledge to contribute to the public dialogue. (And some are just narcissist, sociopaths, out to exploit others). Sadly, you don't have to be a registered criminal to be a bad person with self interests. It's up to the constituent to determine the ideology and character of their representatives.
@8Z5KNTP3yrs3Y
I think that people should be allowed another chance. The politician has the right to try and run for office, but its up to the people who vote for the politician.
@8YZCDBRNew Democratic3yrs3Y
They could try; wouldn’t go too well.
@8YWH8673yrs3Y
Only if the crime(s) they committed were long in the past and they have changed completely throughout their life.
@8YRWVYY3yrs3Y
Yes as long as he has been clean for 5 years after the sentence was finished
@8YCNB3R3yrs3Y
Potentially, it really depends on what the crimes were and if they’ve changed since the incident.
@8XGCB8D3yrs3Y
It really depends what type of crime they commit
@8WM34R64yrs4Y
if it wasn't that bad like stealing a candy bar
@8WGNW974yrs4Y
Yes, as long as they served their sentence or do not commit a crime in the office.
@8WBX5TH4yrs4Y
Yes, as long as the crime wasn't that bad
@8W56MJS4yrs4Y
Yes, as long as the crime they have committed did not involve violence, finances or any abuse of power.
@8W29ZZDNew Democratic4yrs4Y
depending on the crime my answer differs.
@8VYFWPR4yrs4Y
It can depend on the crime
@8VX2X274yrs4Y
Yes, as long as the crime is not a felony, or sexual crime.
@8VVPWZK4yrs4Y
Depends on what the crime is. My answer would change.
@8VVC3H54yrs4Y
Yes, If the felony was when they were younger, people make stupid mistakes when they’re in their teen and young 20’s. Also, as long as it wasn’t an offence against children, sexual offence or murder.
@8VVB4W84yrs4Y
If they can do a back flip
@8VV8Q7N4yrs4Y
Depends on what it was and when
@8VRMLW34yrs4Y
As long as it dies not affect their career. The crime cannot be super big
@8VRBZJ94yrs4Y
Depending how big of the crime
@8VQK625Conservative4yrs4Y
Depends of the crime, any kind of fraud or tricking/using people to there own power
@8VP2Y6N4yrs4Y
if the crime directly relates to/affects the job then no
@8VNSJ7YNew Democratic4yrs4Y
Yes, after being tested for criminal ideas
@8VMTVGR4yrs4Y
not if they have been convicted of any sexual offenses.
@8VMCJH54yrs4Y
@8VKKSCLNew Democratic4yrs4Y
I think it depends on the crime, what actions were taken against the crime in terms of legal obligations and how the Canadian Law was involved in the case. It should depend on the person’s current status, family life, finances, and work life. If the person has formally committed a crime, it depends on how serious it was and their current life situation after the crime was committed.
@8VK8B6C4yrs4Y
I believe that genuinely depends on the crime
@8VJLXVF4yrs4Y
Yes once they have served their sentence, as long as it was not committed while in office nor was it a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime.
@8VHR8LK4yrs4Y
I think it should depend on the crime and how young they were. What was going on in their life at the time and if they served their sentence with no complaints.
@8VCSXRL4yrs4Y
That depends on what the crime was. Sexual assault? No. Drug possession during an addiction that they’ve since recovered from? No, and that could place an interesting perspective of lived experience when it comes to social policies.
@8VCNMXY4yrs4Y
Once a crook always a crook
Not if the offence is an indictable and it does not relate to the office being held.
@8VBCVDB4yrs4Y
A politician running for office who committed petty crime 15+ years ago should be allowed to run for office.
@8V9377B4yrs4Y
They should be allowed to run for office If and when they have asked for and received a pardon
@8V87CD44yrs4Y
No, they should be focused on their own healing.
@8V6CGWX4yrs4Y
Yes, as long as growth occurred since their crime, and they had clearly learned their lesson.
@8V52RPC4yrs4Y
Svend Robinson cost the NDP my vote in the last election, and probably this one.
@8V46BD24yrs4Y
It would depend on the crime committed and time passed since crime was committed
Depending on the crime they should still be able to run
@8TZNHJ34yrs4Y
Too vague of a question with too many variables to decide so simplistically.
Party's and people's decision, depends on what crime.
@8TXVXML4yrs4Y
Yes, if they did their full time. Not if paroled or conditionally released.
@8TTCZCY4yrs4Y
Yes, as long as it was a minor crime from a long time ago, and they must not re offend
@8SMPMY54yrs4Y
Depends what they did but normally no
it depends on the type of crime he committed. if he was wrongly convicted then i think they can run for office but if they did something very wrong then i believe that they should not be able to run for office
@8RSZ2BD4yrs4Y
No if it’s a crime regarding the office like corruption or tax fraud, otherwise they’re allowed to run again
@8RSBMPB4yrs4Y
as long as it wasn’t a violent or sexual crime
@shaelynj4yrs4Y
yes, depending on the severity of the crime and the reason behind it, the amount years served- but if you’re under investigation then it should be stalled
@8RHZ5CR4yrs4Y
No, unless they were wrongfully convicted.
@8R39ZTK4yrs4Y
As long as the crime was committed long ago and the have changed
@8QWYSQL4yrs4Y
It all depends on the circumstance
Depending on the offence.
@8QWJQT64yrs4Y
yes, as long as the crime doesn't discredit anything that they might do in office.
Yes, but as long as the politician is clearly remorseful for their actions
@8QGB4BJConservative4yrs4Y
if a child molester or sexual crime then no
@8PZ9WW94yrs4Y
As long as it isn't fraudulent activity
@8PZ3X2M4yrs4Y
Yes, but the crime should be made known to the public
@8PYQ9R34yrs4Y
Yes, so long as they have both served their time, and that the crime was not committed in office.
@8PNSHTB4yrs4Y
depending on the crime he did if its murder then no but if its something small like he got into a fight with another person over word exchange once then yes he can run
@8PJVYNY4yrs4Y
It depends on how bad the crime was
@8PCWLG24yrs4Y
Depends on how bad the crime committed was. And their reasoning for commiting the crime
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