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Masonic Law concerning petitioners who are felons.

jvarnell

Premium Member
One more thing I do not beleive it is agenst anything to ask questions of any rule it is just wrong to not follow them while they are in existence.
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
Although I do not agree with GLoT on thios matter (in fact strong disagreement), It is GL law and must be followed.
 

Chris McKean

Registered User
In Louisiana you can have a felony. Personaly I am not in favor of a flat out ban against all felons. A felony does not make for a bad person. A guy who cuts down his shotgun to 17 3/4 inches; felon. A guy copies a movie; felon. A guy who beats someone to within an inch of thier life for molesting his child; felon.
I am currently in contact with friends who are members of a local lodge and I have asked to submit an application for membership. I have a felony conviction which is 10 years old for battery. I plead guilty in court. I am not on probation. I am searching for answers as to whether or not I would be denied membership based solely upon that conviction or whether the recommendations by and opinions of my peers in regard to my character would be possibly enough to allow me to be considered. I see that your also in Louisiana, which is why I decided to inquire about your thoughts on this
 

rpbrown

Premium Member
I cannot speak for Louisiana GL law but in Texas, the article was repealed a couple of years ago and now leaves it up to the individual lodge to decide.

The reason behind this repeal was because of things men did while they were young and stupid were determined to be felonies but either they turned their lives around or some of the charges are no longer considered felonies.

One man I know in particular was convicted of felony drug possession in 1977 because he had a joint in his car. He was sentenced to 2 years and out in 9 months. Not only has been his only arrest, he is now a pastor of a church. However, under the old GLoT law, he was not eligible to become a Mason.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
From what I have heard from more experienced Brothers in the lodge here in Kentucky you are simply ineligible for Masonry if you have a felony record. As one Brother said: "We take good men and make them better, we don't take bad men and make them good."
The reason behind this repeal was because of things men did while they were young and stupid were determined to be felonies but either they turned their lives around or some of the charges are no longer considered felonies.

One man I know in particular was convicted of felony drug possession in 1977 because he had a joint in his car. He was sentenced to 2 years and out in 9 months. Not only has been his only arrest, he is now a pastor of a church. However, under the old GLoT law, he was not eligible to become a Mason.
An excellent example and point.
 

fmasonlog

Registered User
I am currently in contact with friends who are members of a local lodge and I have asked to submit an application for membership. I have a felony conviction which is 10 years old for battery. I plead guilty in court. I am not on probation. I am searching for answers as to whether or not I would be denied membership based solely upon that conviction or whether the recommendations by and opinions of my peers in regard to my character would be possibly enough to allow me to be considered. I see that your also in Louisiana, which is why I decided to inquire about your thoughts on this

Explain yourself to the worshipful master at the lodge you're trying to petition to. Our lodge judges people on their present not past.


Sent from my using My Freemasonry
 

Cody Buck

Registered User
My grandfather was a 32nd degree Shriner out of Wichita, KS. I am his only grandson out of 4 that is interested in joining however, I plead guilty to a harmless felony 20 years ago when I was a kid. One of my best friends is a lawyer and offered to expunge my record to restore my civil rights (I've lead a productive/successful life since and have never needed a reason to file for it other than this). Is there anyway that it might be sufficient enough to join?
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
My grandfather was a 32nd degree Shriner out of Wichita, KS. I am his only grandson out of 4 that is interested in joining however, I plead guilty to a harmless felony 20 years ago when I was a kid. One of my best friends is a lawyer and offered to expunge my record to restore my civil rights (I've lead a productive/successful life since and have never needed a reason to file for it other than this). Is there anyway that it might be sufficient enough to join?
You may have gathered that it varies with the jurisdiction. Even if the petition asks for expunged offenses, I still recommend that an expungement be sought. This demonstrates that the judicial process has extended its forgiveness for the criminal act, specifically finding that you are deserving of such.

However, from one who has been substantially involved in the criminal justice process, I recommend you do not use the term “harmless felony.” That will be considered by some to be minimizing. Be honest and direct. You committed a crime. Then you can demonstrate it was not consistent with your life in the years since.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
However, from one who has been substantially involved in the criminal justice process, I recommend you do not use the term “harmless felony.” That will be considered by some to be minimizing. Be honest and direct. You committed a crime. Then you can demonstrate it was not consistent with your life in the years since.
Excellent point Brother.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
My grandfather was a 32nd degree Shriner out of Wichita, KS. I am his only grandson out of 4 that is interested in joining however, I plead guilty to a harmless felony 20 years ago when I was a kid. One of my best friends is a lawyer and offered to expunge my record to restore my civil rights (I've lead a productive/successful life since and have never needed a reason to file for it other than this). Is there anyway that it might be sufficient enough to join?

Interesting situation. I don't understand what a "harmless felony" is. But, understand, there really is no such thing as a record being totally expunged. It may get barred from public access but any investigative agency can, and usually will, find it. OTOH, an inquiry to the local Lodge Secretary might get your question answered. Not knowing you, I have no opinion on whether or not you would make a good Mason. I wish you well.
 

LK600

Premium Member
My grandfather was a 32nd degree Shriner out of Wichita, KS.

I've never met a 32nd degree Shriner. Is that a KS thing? ;)

I plead guilty to a harmless felony 20 years ago when I was a kid.

I would say it depends on the rules of the Grand Lodge where you live, but beyond that, it's more gray. What do you mean by "kid"? I have a great deal of exposure to (investigating and arresting) Felons, so I understand your meaning to "Harmless Felony". But again... it would depend on who's version of harmless and several other factors involved. I wish you luck.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
I've never met a 32nd degree Shriner.

It's only a few years ago the Shrine required membership in either Scottish or York Rites. I know a lot of Shriners who are still Scottish Rite 32nd degree.

I have a great deal of exposure to (investigating and arresting) Felons, so I understand your meaning to "Harmless Felony". But again... it would depend on who's version of harmless and several other factors involved. I wish you luck.

I have read the term "moral turpitude" as a qualifier. There are administrative felonies like broadcasting FM radio over a certain wattage without a license, where finding a victim would be very involved.
 

goomba

Neo-Antient
Site Benefactor
It was a burglary charge however, I didn't break into anything /no theft charge/didn't hurt anyone/no weapons or drugs. More of a formality because I was work at the time. My lawyer freaked out on me because they didn't have anything without my confession but I was 20 years old and felt bad so spilled the beans under the hot light. If I had been smart and "Lawyer'd up" - this never would have happened...My grandfather was; Darwin James Buck out of Wichita, KS. Look him up - He was a 32nd degree mason (He was a Shriner - I have all of his Shiner jewelry . The ring looks like a super bowl championship ring - has a huge diamond in the center). My grandfather ran away from an abusive home and joined the army - stormed Omaha beach on D-day, received a bronze star and a purple heart. Only 1 of a handful of Army Ranger forward observers that came home alive. Also, he was only 15 years old when he joined the army and told them he was 18. That's a felony.

Without more details I can say this statement would cause me to believe you shouldn't be a Mason. I find it smart to be honest. If I have taken your words out of context please feel free to correct me.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
It was a burglary charge however, I didn't break into anything /no theft charge/didn't hurt anyone/no weapons or drugs. More of a formality because I was work at the time. My lawyer freaked out on me because they didn't have anything without my confession but I was 20 years old and felt bad so spilled the beans under the hot light. If I had been smart and "Lawyer'd up" - this never would have happened...My grandfather was; Darwin James Buck out of Wichita, KS. Look him up - He was a 32nd degree mason (He was a Shriner - I have all of his Shiner jewelry . The ring looks like a super bowl championship ring - has a huge diamond in the center). My grandfather ran away from an abusive home and joined the army - stormed Omaha beach on D-day, received a bronze star and a purple heart. Only 1 of a handful of Army Ranger forward observers that came home alive. Also, he was only 15 years old when he joined the army and told them he was 18. That's a felony.
Without more details I can say this statement would cause me to believe you shouldn't be a Mason. I find it smart to be honest. If I have taken your words out of context please feel free to correct me.
I don't know....if I could I would probably give him the benefit of the doubt. However, in my jurisdiction ANY felony disqualifies a person from entering Masonry.
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
It was a burglary charge however, I didn't break into anything /no theft charge/didn't hurt anyone/no weapons or drugs. More of a formality because I was work at the time. My lawyer freaked out on me because they didn't have anything without my confession but I was 20 years old and felt bad so spilled the beans under the hot light. If I had been smart and "Lawyer'd up" - this never would have happened...My grandfather was; Darwin James Buck out of Wichita, KS. Look him up - He was a 32nd degree mason (He was a Shriner - I have all of his Shiner jewelry . The ring looks like a super bowl championship ring - has a huge diamond in the center). My grandfather ran away from an abusive home and joined the army - stormed Omaha beach on D-day, received a bronze star and a purple heart. Only 1 of a handful of Army Ranger forward observers that came home alive. Also, he was only 15 years old when he joined the army and told them he was 18. That's a felony.


Still a felony. Several unanswered questions in that statement. Regardless of the laws in a jurisdiction, a petitioner still has to get past the investigation committee and ballot box. In most places a single black ball or cube will keep you out.
 
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