Should a person have to pay their entire life for a past conviction?

In New Jersey, school board members who have past criminal records may have to resign since a new legislation was passed that requires all to undergo and complete background checks. The new legislation signed by Gov. Chris Christie on May 26 recently went into effect. All school boards members should comply and undergo checks within the next 30 days.

The law includes all first degree and second-degree crimes, drug possession and dealing, aggravated assault, robbery, kidnapping, stalking, manslaughter, and murder. Also mentioned in the legislation are fourth degree crimes when the victim is a minor, endangering the welfare of a child, terrorist threats, luring a child in the car, criminal mischief, burglary, threats, resisting arrest, escape and bias intimidation.

All new members must take an oath that he or she is not disqualified due to the new law, and if he or she is lying, they will be charged with a crime.

The new legislation is beginning to become a controversy as APP.com reports a member of the Asbury Park School Board may have to resign because of a drug possession conviction 20 years ago.

Besides a lot of other things, I question Governor Chris Christie on this one. The new legislation is fine. However, it should depend on the time the crime was committed and the severity of the crime. A drug conviction from 20 years ago, should not have to make a person step down from their position after changing his or her life, and giving back to the community.

Should a person have to pay for a past conviction?

Photo: Pexels