I was just thinking about this... how can one be a "ex"-con? If you've been tried and convicted, that's it, isn't it? You're a convict because you've been convicted and that doesn't change when your time is served or debt is paid, you've still been convicted of the crime. The only exception I could thhink of would be if you were pardoned, but even with that I'm not sure... Just wondering what anyone else thinks.

Hi, excon!. I'm looking forward to your answer!

Oh, wait, I just thought... I guess the only TRUE EX-con would be someone who was wrongfully convicted and later vindicated.

Guess I just think about random, weird stuff. Ex-con is such a common saying/label, yet it makes virtually no sense in 99% of cases. Right?

When you get divorced you are an Ex husband or Ex wife because you are no longer someone's husband or wife. When you serve your time and you are no longer a convict because you served your time then you are an excon. See how that works. To be honest your question or thought is pretty stupid.

When you are not a convict anymore ,as in behind bars ,you are an ex con.

A convict is generally considered a person who is still incarcerated.

Now our beloved excon... I don't even know what to say about him,except he always cracks me up and he's pretty bright too :)

But you're never un-convicted of the crime. You're always responsible for that act. You did it. You were convicted. You're not un-convicted when you get out of the pen. You're still just as guilty as the day you went in, you've just paid a debt.

You're certainly un-married when you get divorced, I get that, but as far as a crime goes, you can't "divorce" it. You DID IT, you were CONVICTED of it, it NEVER goes away. It's not a stupid question, it's perfectly valid. A convict is not necessarily behind bars either, they're on probation, parole, or whatever. I would call someone who is incarcerated an inmate.

Got to love an argument for the sake of an argument.

While you are still "convicted" you have also served your punishment for being convicted, making you an ex-"convicted" individual.

Maybe ex-incarcerated, but not ex-convicted. You're convicted for life.

It's just one of many phrases in our language that we use all the time, yet if you sit and think about it for a second, it really makes NO sense.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by passmeby

I would call someone who is incarcerated an inmate.

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Hello again, pass:

Cops call 'em inmates. Convicts call 'em convicts. So, they're convicts.

The only time you're UN convicted, is when you're pardoned.

excon

PS> I don't know nuthin about this beloved crap. I hate everybody.

Oh, you know you love us! ; )

But, hey, you didn't address the original question! Well, you kind of did, you said you're never UN convicted unless you're pardoned... or if a wrongful conviction is overturned... so does that mean you agree with me?


I know perfectly well what the intent of the label "ex-con" means, all I'm saying is that if you take one minute to think about it's actual meaning, it makes no sense. That's all. Kind of as dumb as saying "taped live" or something.