It is a longstanding American tradition to openly protest and disagree with laws, taxes, and regulations put in place by the government leaders. While most citizens would restrict themselves to peaceful protesting, some do not stop there. Citizens that heavily oppose the government may go to the extreme of declaring themselves sovereign citizens.
As a felon, it may seem to be an attractive option for quickly gaining individual rights, but is it legal? In this article, we will address the issue of whether or not a felon can become a sovereign citizen.
- What is a Sovereign Citizen?
- How to Become a Sovereign Citizen
- Do Local Governments Recognize Sovereign Citizens?
- Do Sovereign Citizens Have Rights?
- Can You Legally Become A Sovereign Citizen?
Contents
What is a Sovereign Citizen?
Sovereignty is an inherent and independent right to govern oneself. In the United States, the government is seen as a sovereign state because it operates independently, without outside interference or influence from foreign powers. In the United States, only the people―not the government―have the right to life, liberty, and property.
However, there is increasing interest in the Sovereign Citizens Movement. The Sovereign Citizens Movement primarily believes that individuals can choose which laws apply to them. Sovereign citizens believe that they should not have to pay taxes.
The Sovereign Citizen Movement is considered an extreme political position with over an estimate of over 300,000 followers. It is impossible to get an accurate account of members because there is no centralized leadership.
The Sovereign Citizens Movement came from the conspiracy theory that beginning in 1933, the U.S government ended operation under common law, and started operating under admiralty law. This false idea forces followers to believe that the U.S. government sees it’s citizens as slaves, and the judges and courts are a means of keeping them in line with financial slavery.
At its core, the Sovereign Citizens Movement can be racist and anti-Semitic. Early sovereign movement leaders believe jews to be at the heart of financial institutions that have gained control of the government. Additionally, many sovereign individuals believe you must be white to become a sovereign citizen because of the 14th amendment.
A sovereign citizen believes there are two types of citizens: natural citizens, and Fourteenth Amendment citizens.
Natural citizens are seen as citizens because they were born in one of the 50 states and have revoked their U.S. federal citizenship. They also believe that national citizens are not subject to any U.S. federal law, including the jurisdiction of the federal courts. They feel they’re subject to natural and common law only.
Fourteenth Amendment citizens are viewed as being subject to federal and common law.
Sovereign citizens view themselves as fighting against the government and other forms of authority, using paper terrorism harassment and intimidation tactics.
Some of the supposed advantages of being a sovereign citizen are:
- Immunity to law, including statutory, civil, and vehicle codes
- Being able to dismiss anything in the area of legal business
- Discharging debts by bonds
- Not having to pay traffic tickets
- Inability to be sued in court
- Eliminating federal and state income tax
- Regaining all money paid to the government, including the IRS
How to Become a Sovereign Citizen
Becoming a sovereign citizen begins with a tangible declaration. Since the Sovereign Citizens Movement is self-proclaimed, there is no specific procedure in place to become a sovereign citizen.
Typically, a person will declare that the laws do not apply to him or her. He or she might declare that a home belongs to him or her by filing paperwork stating that he or she owns the home.
Becoming a sovereign citizen does not involve any application or criminal background check. As a designation, it’s basically self-proclaimed and lived out as an individual choice.
Sovereign is defined as “possessing supreme or ultimate power.” Those that declare themselves sovereign only believe in their authority. Some individuals will cancel their Social Security Number and birth certificate. These are actions that reflect their declaration of sovereignty.
Do Local Governments Recognize Sovereign Citizens?
Currently, there is no local government that recognizes sovereign citizens. The FBI has designated sovereign citizens domestic terrorists. The Sovereign Citizens Movement is largely viewed as an extremist ideology that threatens American citizens.
In 2010, two officers were killed during a traffic stop by two armed sovereign citizens. Since that time, many local law enforcement agencies and supporters view sovereign citizens as unwilling to respect or follow any law. During encounters with suspected sovereign citizens, officers are trained to be on high alert and use any tactical actions necessary to ensure safety.
Local governments may label individuals that have declared sovereignty as a danger to public safety. The perception of sovereign citizens may give people who need to rebuild a reputation a bad start.
Do Sovereign Citizens Have Rights?
Sovereign citizens are afforded the same rights as any other American citizen. The ability to declare oneself a sovereign citizen is an example of the first amendment right to freedom of speech.
Sovereign citizens are not recognized by federal, state, or local laws as immune to or restricted from exercising their civil rights, however, they are labeled as a domestic terrorist. Most sovereign citizens claim that the federal court has no jurisdiction to try them for a felony or a misdemeanor. A sovereign citizen will deny the validity of any law and believe that they cannot be found guilty of any violation of criminal laws. Declaring sovereignty from the U.S. does not legally grant an individual any additional rights.
A sovereign citizen will protest any attempt to get him or her into court for any legal proceeding. At these times, a sovereign citizen may be found in contempt of court. For those who repeatedly go against court orders, he or she can be charged with a misdemeanor, and if this occurs often enough, it can become a felony charge.
A typical charge might be:
- Tax evasion
- Practicing law without a license
- Sedition
- Money laundering
- Weapons charges
Can You Legally Become a Sovereign Citizen?
While this may seem like an option that would provide the most freedom for a felon seeking rights immediately after leaving prison, becoming a sovereign citizen may not be an option.
As a felon, taking such a stance and inviting criminal charges only places him or her in an extremely dangerous situation. It would be easy for a felon under these circumstances to be sent back to prison because of their prior criminal history.
A judge could easily decide a felon sovereign citizen has already lived in a way that is placed him or herself above the law. Becoming a sovereign citizen would only add to this view as a further demonstration of his or her disregard for legal consequences.
Felons are already seen as being dishonest, untrustworthy, and unwilling or unable to follow directions from authority figures. Consistently ignoring federal regulations would defeat the purpose of expungement and set a felon up for further difficulties with the law.
While a felon can become a sovereign citizen, it’s not a recommended course of action.
*Please note, this article is for informational purposes only. The staff at JobsForFelonsHub.com are not lawyers and urge you to contact a lawyer directly in order to get sovereignty questions answered. You can do that affordably by using this website.
So, what do you think about this blog post concerning a felon becoming a sovereign citizen? Are you currently a sovereign citizen? Please tell us in the comments below.
I agree because when we have to stand before our creator he isnt putting us into categories of which sin is the worst and which one is not so bad type thing. But God himself says a sin is a sin regardless of the nature. Because it wasn’t perfect men up on the stake with Jesus but it was murderers, thieves, and idolatrous men. He knows we’re all sinful creatures hence the need for forgiveness in oneself. Because at the end of the day we ourselves are our own worst enemies as we can judge ourselves but not that judge anyone else because we cannot be perfect. So I agree wholeheartedly with your statement!! Thank you for sharing that!
I would like to learn more about this can you get a hold of me
Of course a “felon” can become a sovereign. Sovereignty is given by mighty God, not by man created government. I have operated as a sovereign since 2009. And the only thing left is to declare myself to the government which i am going to tomorrow.
United States citizen is a political choice and one surrenders their sovereignty to that instution. If they keep their sovereignty your a States national. Your allegiance is to the state of (where your born). This is called the Republic. Where one can give their sovereignty to government or retain it under common law.
“Enticement to slavery by ordering a person to falsely represent him/herself as a United States Citizen” in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec 911 (13th Amendment, 18 U.S.C. Sec 1583.
The decision to abandon one’s STATATUTORY “U.S. citizen” status while retaining their “national” status under 8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(21) is guaranteed by 15 Stat. 223-224 (1868), R.S. § 1999, 8 U.S.C. § 800
8 U.S. Code § 1401 (d)Nationals and citizens of United States at birth and state nationals. Allegiance to the RIGHT OF EXPATRIATION
R.S. Sec. 1999:
“Whereas the right of expatriation
is a natural and inherent right of all people, indispensable to the enjoyment of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness; and whereas in the recognition of this principle this Government has freely received emigrants from all nations,
…
Therefore any declaration, instruction, opinion, order, or decision of any officer of the United States which
denies, restricts, impairs, or questions the right of expatriation, is declared inconsistent with the fundamental principles of the
Republic.”
So do not participate in their political affairs and let every officer of the court know that your allegiance is to the state. One can file for a passport pretty much the same way.
So called sovereign citizens are a loose fit of opinions tired of lost rights by statutory law. Some more extreme then others but they all would find peace with the above declaration of being a state national which requires no drivers license, taxation, and many other freedoms.
Kaden Gilchrist, my name is Zac Fancher, I wanted to inform that your incorrect about the court’s upholding sovereignty. The United States Supreme Court held that; “The American people are in fact sovereign, and not the state and federal government’s, local and federal law enforcement are liable for enforcement of the laws on sovereign people.” Bond v. United States, (2000)
The right to claim oneself, or exist, as a “person”, under a “self-determined NATIONALITY”, is a protected right that any person can declare!
The claiming a nationality is not against the law; and (as a matter of fact), it is a right that is written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Article 15 (which states):
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality;
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
The definition of Sovereign is defined as: “possessing supreme or ultimate power.” Those that declare themselves sovereign only believe in their own authority. As such, no court, corporation, or entity can regulate the desire of a person, who declares themselves to be sovereign!
The implied and self-imposed authority of the CORPORATE entity, commonly known as the “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, is (in reality), a corporate enterprise “doing business” in a stolen territory – so-named by the invading forces, of an organized group, who have seated themselves in power in order to: 1. deprive the indigenous people of their NATURAL rights, to live in accordance with their FREE wills. 2. Assume control of the LAND, AIR, and WATER rights in all commercially profitable areas, and profit from the regulation of the fair market value of all by-products that are either: manufactured, bought, or sold – from these sources.
This CORPORATION has appointed a political figurehead to act on its behalf, as (and under the title of): the “PRESIDENT”, and he/she, is the DE FACTO public representative responsible for carrying out their agendas of the corporate body. Such as it is, the nation of America, is adhering to the mass-corporate takeover, by creating the structure of appointees who are all operating under a DE JURE status, as agents of this self-proclaimed regime.
The LAWS, EDICTS, PUBLIC POLICIES, and PENAL CODES that they’ve drafted, and enacted are without enforceable merit, except under the threat of violence or the penalties of unwarranted and unlawful detainment – for non-compliance, and are in direct violation of the TREATY OF PEACE And FRIENDSHIP (1836), that they willfully entered into with the Morrocan leadership – some 183 years ago.
And…Instead of debating over what presumed authority they have granted themselves to impose their unwanted opinions into our affairs, as SOVEREIGN PEOPLE, we need to embrace the fact that we are the original aboriginal descents offspring, and they are here under assumed authority under a “corporate structure”, to insinuate themselves as our caretakers, but have proved themselves more to be our oppressor’s!
We need to unify – to send them the message that “we no longer want, nor will tolerate them operating, or doing business in any manner on our behalves – and they must return the full land, air, and water rights over to us and decolonize the territories that they have named “America”‘!
They already know that we have an inheritance (unbeknownst to many uninformed residents), regarding the “first right of claim” over all of these territories, that were under the jurisdiction of Morroco, and the Moors – of whom we are direct descendants!
Therefore, we must exercise our legal rights, to use the system of law, to unseat them from power!
Good words brethren.
“A felon doesn’t have to be defined by his or her crime.” You are wrong, those convicted of what falls under a ‘sex crime’ ARE defined by their crime in the eyes of society. They forever have to live under unconstitutional laws and can never restart a new law abiding life. The laws do not allow them to. And it affects their families as well.
Thank You!! i would love to get an unbiased understanding of Sovereign. i am a felon still dealing with the
“reprocussions” of my charges from over 5 years ago. i am of no danger to any human being that walks this earth. I also have no intentions of harming another human being in any way, shape or form. Why should i have to answer to state government for a said crime that i plead out to years ago?
Sex offenders can restore themselves I believe. After all we are all children of god. How can I or anyone else judge. We will all pay for our sins one day. one sin is not greater than the other.