1 Historically, the loss of all civil rights by a person who had been sentenced to death or declared an outlaw for committing a felony or treason. This included the loss of right to contract, the right to sue, and the right to protection under the law. See also attainder and bill of attainder. 2 Today, the loss of certain civil rights, such as the right to vote by a person convicted of or sentenced to imprisonment for a felony. The rights lost, and for what crimes or sentences, varies state t...