Second Chances: Florida Pardons, Restoration of Civil Rights, Gun Rights and More.

• Author: Newman, Carla M.
• Position: Book review

Second Chances: Florida Pardons, Restoration of Civil Rights, Gun Rights and More

by Reggie Garcia

Second Chances: Florida Pardons, Restoration of Civil Rights, Gun Rights, and More by Reggie Garcia is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in understanding the intricate details of the process of pardons and restoration of civil rights in the State of Florida. The author explains the process in a fashion that is simplistic but with such great detail that the book is essentially a guide for those engaged in the pardon or restoration of rights process.

The book begins with brief synopsis of cases and their successful outcome be it a pardon or restoration of rights. Then, it describes the initial steps in the process, which includes the instruction to applicants to perform a self background check. The chapter then goes on to detail the information that should be procured during the background check, including but not limited to convictions, employment, education, financial regulatory discipline, disciplinary matters, traffic record, family health issues, and volunteer contributions.

Of particular interest is the wise instruction to anticipate and discuss the position of the following parties on the application for clemency, including the state attorney, arresting officer, victim, and probation officer. I find this instruction forces the applicant to consider the opinions about those either impacted by the case, such as the victim, or those involved in the resolution of the case, such as the state attorney, in a way that is both thoughtful and inclusive.

Garcia explains the basics of executive clemency: identification of the eight different types of clemency, and the six factors that the board will consider when determining whether to grant an application for clemency. The six...