There are several types of post-conviction relief available for those convicted of crimes in Washington state. Some people can successfully appeal a conviction. Others might be eligible for record sealing or expungement.
Occasionally, requesting a pardon might be an option. Typically, those seeking a pardon for state-level criminal convictions need a pardon from the governor. Obtaining that pardon may require paperwork and a public awareness campaign to draw attention to a miscarriage of justice.
Pardons begin with Board review
If the governor directly reviewed every petition for clemency submitted during their term in office, reviewing requests for pardons might be one of the only things the governor could do. To ensure that the governor doesn’t spend disproportionate amounts of time reviewing information about criminal cases, the Clemency and Pardon Board is typically the first party to review petitions for pardons.
The Clemency and Pardon Board looks at everything from the nature of the offense and the basis of the pardon request to the health of the convicted individual and their conduct while in state custody. Recommendations by the Clemency and Pardon Board can influence how much attention the governor allocates to different pardon requests.
In some cases, drawing attention from true crime podcasters or social media influencers could help a petition for clemency gain attention and traction. The Clemency and Pardon Board and the governor may be more inclined to review pardon requests when public pressure related to that case starts mounting.
The process of pursuing post-conviction relief often requires careful attention to detail and support from someone who understands the Washington state legal system. Those hoping to secure a pardon from the governor may need to develop a long-term plan in pursuit of that goal. Securing a pardon can end criminal penalties and eliminate the criminal record holding a convicted individual back from important opportunities.