convicted felons and jackpot winnings

Reply #22

EXMECHANIC — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:18:04 GMT

I'm a bit of a hard ass, but once you committed a crime that has you sitting behind bars, its rough I know, but you don't get the prize. While there a wide array of felonys from something as simple as illegal gun/narcotics possesion to violent crimes or white collar crimes, our system does group them all together. And in the case of the raffle it should go to the back-up winner or what ever rules were in place incase of an invalid winner.

But if your in jail, awaiting a hearing or something w... [ More ]

Reply #21

Jake — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:59:25 GMT

I know that I live in a glass house. I also know that many times the difference between a felony conviction and a misdemeanor or dismissal of charges is the ability to afford a good attorney. Yes, there are heinous crimes out there that deserve punishment in kind, just as I know there are good people caught up in bad situations and these same people pay the price of a lifetime for 1 mistake. I would lay odds some of these very people are members here at LP.

Until the day that convict... [ More ]

Reply #20

ThatScaryChick — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:11:52 GMT

I agree with the others. If someone has been convicted of a crime and paid their time, they should be able to purchase a lottery ticket. Until they change the rules of the game where is says a felon can't collect money from winning then why not

Reply #19

guesser — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:51:08 GMT

If the person is convicted of a crime, paid their time, then they are free to do as the law allows.

BUT

If the person embezzled money because they have a gambling problem, then no, they should not be allowed to play, let alone collect any winnings.

AND

If a person has a monetary judgement against them, then of course the judgement should be collected from the winnings.

And if you really do think winning the lottery would make the convicted felon less likely return to 'crime', you... [ More ]

Reply #18

TexasDreams — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 05:39:55 GMT

An offender has paid their price to society for the crime; however heinous, in prison. A person who is on probation is only returning to a normal free life style an is expected to conform to the demands of society's rules, hence the various stipulations. I think once the offender has done the time for the crime it is a mute point, they are now another (hopefully) productive member of society. A lotto win would, IMO, make the offender at a better odds of not returning to a life of crime. A job... [ More ]

Reply #17

csfb — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:32:21 GMT

Sure, why not. They can claim. As long as they are 18 years or over, and claim within the required period to claim the prize. Those are the rules of the game, as I read them.

That does not mean however, that their winnings cannot be forfeited by someone else.

Reply #16

LckyLary — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:41:39 GMT

I think it sometimes depends on the situation.. someone can be convicted of something like their grandchild downloading too many songs vs. someone who axe-murdered 50 people. Money from the jackpot should go to pay legal fees or victims' families or support of children and family of the convicted. In any case as long as the ticket was bought with money that was not involved in a crime then technically a felon should be able to claim no matter what unless the Lottery makes clear rules that felons... [ More ]

Reply #15

justxploring — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:33:49 GMT

But to add to this

What if you buy a lottery ticket and then get convicted of a felony? You are legally walking around as a free citizen and buy a Raffle ticket. You commit a crime and go to jail. 6 weeks later you are sitting behind bars and win a million dollars.

What then

Reply #14

konane — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:32:12 GMT

I don't believe the state has 'deputized' clerks selling lottery tickets to determine any legal aspect of a person's life beyond whether they meet age requirements to purchase a ticket.

That determination falls on the soulders of the legal system to sort out after a felon is determined by the legal system to have broken the law (again) if on probation or parole.

Reply #13

nanolike — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:27:40 GMT

Good advice since you are screwed if you trust for one second it is just entertainment and fun a dream a chance a reality a LIFE! A vacation in the sun given to you compliments of your State Lottery!

I think all people should be able tobuy a ticket if the state is selling! If its some illegal ticket down the road at some illegal gambling house or something no!

The probation rules should say, You can only buy lottery tickets and scratcher games from a staterun officeorretailer or le... [ More ]

Reply #12

four4me — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:11:09 GMT

according to most state lottery rules if you 18 or older you may purchase a lottery ticket. It's a legal binding contract a wager if you will with the state.

If you were a convict or are on probation and the probate rules say you cant gamble then you should wait until your probation period is over. Why break the law.

Reply #11

nanolike — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:08:12 GMT

A better question might be should a state be allowed to criminize their own customers?

Afterall they're the ones who sell it the addictive narcotic under the guise of ENTERTAINMENT AND FUN!

They're whole marketing srategy to bring in sales is based upon; convincing the public at large that what they are selling is not really gambling but ENTERTAINMENT FUN! A DREAM!

If they had their way about it we'd all be addictive gamblers.

O I get it! Lets penalize the customer now after... [ More ]

Reply #10

Stack47 — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:42:47 GMT

You have to be 21 to legally gamble in casinos and many times underage gamblers have hit jackpots only to learn they won't be paid off and will be escorted from the casino.

In Ohio when we win over $600 we fill out form that has a question asking if we owe back child support. The form must be signed and notarize then you take it to a bank to get the money. The laws that apply to all legal documents apply to it. If the prize is over $5000 we must take it to a regional office so taxes can be d... [ More ]

Reply #9

Stack47 — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:16:03 GMT

But if your in prison,

I've heard about those country club style prisons but I didn't know they had lottery terminals.

or your parole/probation process then no,

People are paroled and put on probation because the courts believe they are not a threat and have paid their debt to society.

I think the lottery is for those who can play by the rules of our society.

Speed limits and stop signs are rules of out society too. Where do we draw the line

Reply #8

mrichardson$ — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:56:26 GMT

I feel like if you buy a ticket, parolee or not you should be able to get your money.When a person buys a ticket the cashier does not ask them if they are on parole or not.

Reply #7

konane — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 21:04:09 GMT

Reply #6

MegaWinner — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:34 GMT

If their right to play and claim jackpots is not taken away by due process, then yes, they should be aloowed to claim.

Reply #5

chasingadream — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:20:07 GMT

only if part of the judgement states he or she is not allowed to play.....everybody else should be able to....if you have a dollar and a dream, go for it.

Reply #4

Guru101 — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:32:16 GMT

I think they should. They played fair and square and put their money into the game just like everybody else who played it.

Reply #3

hearsetrax — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:18:41 GMT

I have to agree

Reply #2

JackpotWanna — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:42:40 GMT

convicted felons should be allowed to play and claim jackpots, but should share their winnings with the people they hurt.

Reply #1

EXMECHANIC — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:37:07 GMT

I put not sure, because I'm not sure what this question covers. If someone is a convicted felon but paid their debt to society then yes they should be free to play.

But if your in prison, or your parole/probation process then no, I think the lottery is for those who can play by the rules of our society.

convicted felons and jackpot winnings

LOTTOMIKE — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:58:07 GMT

should a convicted felon be allowed to claim a huge jackpot like hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars? after should a criminal record make them inelgible