President Biden recently made headlines (both positive and negative) over his decision to commune around 1,500 sentences and pardon 39 people. Reports say that is the single biggest one-day act of clemency granted by a president in modern history.
However, presidents are not the only people with the power to issue pardons. Governors, too, hold significant power within the justice system – including the right to issue pardons.
When can governor pardons be used?
Pardons are typically available to those who have demonstrated rehabilitation and when there has been a significant passage of time (10 years in Washington, under most circumstances) since their conviction. The applicant must also be able to demonstrate that they have exhausted all other legal remedies, are free of any serious infractions in recent years, and that extraordinary circumstances warrant this level of relief.
A governor’s pardon has far-reaching impacts on the individual involved, including:
- Restoration of rights: An individual granted a pardon regains the civil rights they may have lost, including the ability to vote, hold public office and serve on a jury. They may also be able to regain firearm rights and professional licenses that would otherwise be barred to them.
- Improved employment prospects: A pardon signals to employers that someone’s case has been given extraordinary consideration and that those in authority believe they deserve a second chance. In essence, a pardon significantly reduces the stigma of their prior conviction.
- Emotional and social gains: A pardon can be very symbolic and many people will accept it as a sign of closure on the past, which can make it easier for the individual involved to reintegrate into society.
While pardons offer a lot of hope, they are never guaranteed. Politics, for better or worse, often come into play and influence the governor’s decisions. Your chances of obtaining a pardon increase dramatically when you have a thorough understanding of the application process and experienced legal guidance.