Pardon Process & Effects

Acquiring a pardon, in most states, is a challenging task. Nevertheless, it is a process you may complete for next to zero cost if you are willing to sacrifice your time and efforts. Often you are required to submit many pieces of information, documentation, fingerprints and reference letters. Also, you will be required to provide case numbers, D.O.C. numbers and supporting evidence of rehabilitation. Many people throw away most of the required information and documentation in hopes to forget about the conviction or ignore it completely, however, if applying for a pardon, you will be back-tracking to get all your information together. Applying for a pardon does not require legal help or a lawyer, this is a process you can complete on your own.

First off, a pardon is an official statement attached to your criminal record stating you have been forgiven for the offence or offences. The power to grant a pardon, also known as executive clemency, is most often held by the govenor of the state in which the crimes were commited. A pardon, most often, serves as grounds for judicial expungement which is the process by which your criminal history is actually erased, that information will be published in a future article and you may want to consult a lawyer who speciallizes in expungement laws in the state your crime was committed.

Most often, a convicted felon or misdemeanant will seek a pardon for restoration of their civil rights, especially hunters who are seeking their right to register firearms. Also, convicted felons or misdemeanants who are looking to have their record expunged will often need a pardon prior to applying for an expungement of their criminal record. A pardon is also means for advancement in employment, education and professional licensing, because the pardon, most often, relieves an offender of any disabilities as a result of a conviction, the pardon will allow convicted felons and/or misdemeanants to achieve professional licensing or work in "felon-free" industries such as; health care, education, financial securities or transportation. Some who are looking to advance within their current companies into management positions where a criminal background check will be conducted need a pardon to eliminate the liability on the company's due diligence/risk management side, shifting it toward the pardon board. Having the pardon shows the company that the person is rehabilitated, as per the state in which the crimes were committed, essentially taking the liability off the company.