I Paid the Debt I Owed Them

Amherst County, Virginia's, new business license law allows the county to revoke a license if the business owner has been convicted of any felony or of any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. It can also revoke the business license of any firm employing a person convicted of such crimes. But it does allow the employer to keep a business license if it takes "remedial action" by firing that employee.

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

The outrage here is requiring a business license at all.

[Michael Price]

Not going to cause corruption problems at all.

[Jerryskids]

There's no way in hell this stands up to constitutional arguments, can we just have a 'three strikes' rule where legislators that pass stupid laws are removed from office after they demonstrate a clear incompetence at understanding what the hell their jobs are?

[dantheserene]

The ordinance explicitly states that doing business there is a "privilege", so it's no surprise they feel they can deny anyone a living based on good cause, bad cause, or no cause.
Pet peeve: The ordinance is posted as part of a 31 page, non-searchable PDF. WTF, people?

[Cloudbuster]

Felons are no longer allowed to work or own businesses?

I can't see any possible negative outcomes from that.

Surprisingly, you don't need a business license to commit crime.

Hey! Maybe they should make a law about that! For example, "No burglarizing without a license." That should put an end to all burglary!

[Cloudbuster]

Thieves Guild!