DCR said:
...We should be pressuring our congressmen to fully fund the office within BATFE that handles restoration of firearms rights cases, something that has never been done, rather than judging those who have paid their time and debt to their victims and society, yet still are prohibited from full participation in American citizenship....
And I do agree with that. People can change, and someone convicted of a crime should have a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate that he has learned from the experience and is now trustworthy. But I'm not sympathetic to those who have been convicted of crimes complaining that the cost to them for their criminal behavior turned out to be more than they were willing to pay.
Many people manage to get through life and deal with the stresses and problems of life, and their needs and wants, without committing crimes.
DCR said:
I think the highly judgmental types who think the mere accusation of a crime (grand jury standard = probable cause, the same low standard a prosecutor can swear to in filing a felony or misdemeanor complaint, or that an officer uses when determining whether to arrest someone) ... renders the person incapable of being trustworthy for life ...
No one has said that indictment or the filing of a criminal complaint makes one untrustworthy for life. But the fact is that if there is probable cause to conclude that you have committed a crime, your freedom is significantly curtailed while the matter is pending and unless it is resolved in your favor. And it's been like that for a very long time.
If you are indicted or the prosecutor files charges, you will be arrested, booked and spend some time in jail until the matter of bail or release on your own recognizance can be dealt with. If you are allowed bail, or bail in an amount you can pay, you will either have to post money or property with the court to assure your presence in court when required, or pay a bonding company to do so.
And depending on the circumstances and the law in the jurisdiction, other steps will be taken to try to assure that you stick around to see things through, whatever the final result. Assets may be frozen, and your passport confiscated. And you won't be allowed lawful access to firearms.
That's the way things are right now in real life. It doesn't bother me. If it bothers you, you can write your legislators, but I don't think you'll see a whole lot of political support for much change.