There are multiple types of post-conviction relief that are potentially available to those with a prior criminal offense on their permanent records. People are often aware that the President of the United States of America has the necessary authority to pardon individuals already convicted of major criminal violations.
Technically, the President is not the only elected official with the authority to intervene on behalf of those convicted of crimes, which is beneficial for those seeking a pardon. It can be quite challenging to obtain the attention and consideration of the President of the United States. Many people with Washington state convictions may have an easier time obtaining a state-level pardon issued by the governor.
Who plays a role in the state-level pardon process?
The Governor only sees certain cases
The Governor has numerous responsibilities that they have to fulfill. Considering pardon requests from convicted individuals could potentially consume a significant amount of an elected official’s time, and it may not be a high-priority job responsibility.
The process includes not just reviewing the documentation submitted by the person requesting the pardon but also the background information about the criminal case. The amount of work involved in vetting a pardon request makes it all but impossible for the Governor to handle that process without support.
Therefore, the Clemency and Pardon Board plays an important role in the post-conviction relief process. Typically, those seeking a Governor pardon first submit information to the Clemency and Pardon Board. The Board performs a thorough review of the circumstances to determine which cases actually warrant the consideration of the governor.
The Governor may only actually hear a tiny fraction of the cases where people convicted of a state offense in Washington request a pardon, and each of those cases usually comes with a specific recommendation from the Clemency and Pardon Board.
Technically, the final decision-making authority is in the hands of the Governor. However, the Clemency and Pardon Board plays an important role by determining which cases actually receive direct consideration from the Governor. Individuals seeking post-conviction relief need to make a compelling case if they hope to have their case reach the Governor.
Discussing pardons, expungements and other forms of relief with a skilled legal team can help people explore every opportunity to improve their legal circumstances. Those seeking a pardon have to first convince the Clemency and Pardon Board that their situation warrants the time and attention of the Governor.