Felony Guide

Felony Conviction Pardon

Who grants pardons for felony convictions?
If you were convicted of a felony at the federal level you actually need a pardon from the President of the United States. If you were convicted at the state or county level you need a pardon from the Governor of your state.

The real challenge, though, is getting your pardon request to one of those levels. Governors and Presidents are really busy (surprise, surprise), so they have boards of people that review requests all day. Most requests are denied - you need to have a really good reason for requesting the pardon (also known as clemency in most places).

Where do you start?
First of all, you need to understand that a lot of inmates sitting in jail are sending pardon requests to the Governor (or the President, depending on their jurisdiction). If you just try to sit down and write a sob story explaining why you need clemency, you probably aren't going to get past the first gatekeeper.
So how do you make sure your pardon request is taken seriously? You will probably need a good attorney. Sure, they can help you draft your letter in a way that won't come off as whiny or desperate (which so many pardon requests are) and make it sound sincere, but more importantly, they will help you get it in front of the right people.

How to find the right attorney
In general, history is the best indicator of future performance. Obviously this isn't the case (if it were pardon requests would never be considered), but you should find an attorney who as at least had some success with getting ex-offenders pardoned. Ask potential defense attorneys about specific cases where they have actually seen pardons granted.

Don't be surprised if many (if not most) of the attorneys you talk to have never actually seen a pardon request approved - pardons are very, very rare. In fact, a lot of attorneys might tell you not even to bother with a submitting one, but if you feel like your situation justifies at least consideration from the executive office, you should be relentless in pursuit of the right person to represent you.

When are pardons usually granted?
Nobody will openly admit it, but usually felony convictions are pardoned for political reasons. If, for instance, you were involved in a controversial case that may help a future candidate in a bid for a position, you need to play that angle up to even have a chance of a pardon. It helps if you are a high profile person - either knowing the right people or being a whistleblower in a popular case will significantly increase your chances.

Alternative to pardon
If you can't get a full pardon, you may still be a candidate for expungement. Sometimes you crime is not expungable but the court will downgrade the crime from a felony to a misdemeanor. Again, talking to a good attorney will probably give you a better idea of realistic options in your situation - make sure that you are completely honest with your attorney about all of the details of your case - they can't help you unless they know all of the facts.

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I was charged for shop lifting case and I paid the court fine at 2008. I am in an Accounting field. I am not even invoved in other crime after that but by that I am not getting good job in companies. Is this claim is pardoned or minimized my crime. It is very important in my life.

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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I was charge with felony class b, in the alaska state for narcotics intent to sell, how can I get my pardon?

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esteban herrera
Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I was sentense 13 years ago for sale of nacotics .and sentence to 5 years ofprobation .before my arrest i did voluntery work do i qualify?

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Jose
Thursday, May 3, 2012

I was charged with felony fire arm for pawning a gun in my name . It did not belong to me nor did I bring It in the pawn shop. But stiil got the charge. Is It possible to get my rights back?

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Keith Gorden
Wednesday, April 25, 2012

I was convicted of manslaughter in 1994,served 7years in prison was released in2001.I was hoping to get a pardon but our new governor isn't accepting pardon applications now here in mississippi.I'm trying so hard to find employment butI keep getting turned down because of my previous felony. Please someone help me,I'm tired of my past haunting me and I've been out of work now for 8months and still haven't located a job.I just want to be able to move on with my life and be a productive citizen once again.If anyone out there has the solution please help me.

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fredrick
Wednesday, March 28, 2012

i have done a 2 year sentence is prison and have been for 17 years come oct on 2012 and i havent been in no more trouble but i can find a good job the this on my background what can are should i do please someone help

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gidget lacy
Monday, March 26, 2012

What if you forged a perscription and served your time for it went on with your life and became a certified medication aide and then found out you couldnt work there because of it can this be pardoned from the governer?


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Janice
Monday, March 26, 2012

when i was a juvenile, me and my 2 sisters experimented sexually w each other (fondiling only). it was all just discovery and exploration. at 15 i realized it was wrong, hence,told my dad. he got mad at me one day and told the law. i didnt know that i had broke the law but was arrested anyway. then my dad told me to plead guilty because he did not want to keep going to court with me. so i was sentenced to 10 yrs on sex offender list. as an adult, i became homeless a couple times and had no address to register and went to jail. ive spent equivelent to 3

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Brian Dunker
Sunday, March 18, 2012

I have a felony 50yrs old and
would like to get a full pardon as I have no record since that and was so young I
think I should be forgiven and my record sealed..It was i
believe a B

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kenneth phillips
Wednesday, March 14, 2012

I have a Felony that's 15yrs old and it so SADD that after all this time people still hold it against ya.. I have been trying to get an apartment for a month now and every one pulls you CRIM RECORDS AND SAY THAT YOU ARE NOT APPOVED FOR THAT REASON ITS SO SAD.. Any Suggestions...

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hayes
Sunday, February 26, 2012

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