Opinion ID: 713036
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Massachusetts Statutory Scheme

Text: 9 Civil rights, within the meaning of § 921(a)(20), have been generally agreed to comprise the right to vote, the right to seek and hold public office, and the right to serve on a jury. United States v. Cassidy, 899 F.2d 543, 549 (6th Cir.1990). As an initial matter, therefore, we recount the relevant Massachusetts laws corresponding to these rights. 10 A convicted felon in Massachusetts does not lose the right to vote. See Mass.Gen.L. ch. 54, §§ 86, 103B. He does, however, lose the right to hold public office while serving his sentence. Mass.Gen.L. ch. 279, § 30. And, a felon is disqualified from juror service until seven years from his conviction. Mass.Gen.L. ch. 234A, § 4. However, even after seven years, a judge can remove one from a jury panel solely on the basis of a prior felony conviction. Mass.Gen.L. ch. 234, § 8. 11 Clearly, the Massachusetts scheme neither provides for individualized, affirmative actions nor for complete restoration, as the right to vote is never removed. Ramos, therefore, on both fronts, would mandate that Caron's Massachusetts convictions count for purposes of the ACCA. Now, sitting en banc, we revisit the question whether we should depart from the positions we took in Ramos.