Expert Advice When You Need It Most
Posted over 2 years ago. 1 helpful vote, 0 comments
1
Submit the Petition to the Office of the Pardon AttorneyIn order to apply for a presidential pardon you must submit a completed pardon petition which should be printed or typed. Forms are available from the Office of Pardons. The pardon form must be completed fully and accurately in order to be considered. You may attach to the petition additional pages and documents where necessary. 2
Federal Convictions OnlyThe president's power to pardon extends to federal crimes and crimes arising out of the superior courts of the District of Columbia. The president may not pardon state crimes. In these cases you must make application to the Governor of the state involved. 3
Five Year Waiting PeriodThere is a five year waiting period from the end of your sentence or parole to allow you to prove that you have become a law abiding, rehabilitated citizen. 4
Reasons for Seeking PardonA pardon is not a sign of vindication and does not connote or establish innocence. For that reason, when considering the merits of a pardon petition, pardon officials take into account the petitioner's acceptance of responsibility, remorse, and atonement for the offense. In that connection you must state why it is that you wish a pardon and what hardships you are suffering in the absence of one. 5
Multiple ConvictionsYou must list all federal convictions on the pardon form including all military courts-martial. You must also disclose all later convictions, state and federal, that you have received. This includes traffic violations and foreign as well as state convictions. 6
Credit Status and Civil SuitsYou must list all delinquent credit obligations even if you dispute them. You must also list all civil lawsuits in which you were named as a party, whether as plaintiff or defendant, including bankruptcy proceedings. You must also list all unpaid tax obligations, whether federal, state, or local. If you have entered into any settlement of certain obligations,including those that call for installment payments you should describe them. 7
Character ReferencesYou need 3 primary letters of reference. You may submit more but you must state which three are primary. The letters must be notarized and contain the contact information of the person submitting them as well as a statement indicating the letter is in support of a presidential pardon. 8
Effect of a PardonA pardon does not seal a record of conviction. If asked you must state that you were convicted of such and such offense but pardoned by the president. A presidential pardon will not restore state granted citizen's rights. For these disabilities to be lifted you must contact your state authorities. 9
Only the President Can Grant ThemThe power to grant pardons is vested in the President alone. No hearing is held on the pardon application by either the Department of Justice or the White House. You will be notified when a final decision is made on your petition, and there is no appeal from the President's decision to deny a clemency request. Additional ResourcesRelated Questions1 Attorney answers: 
Asked by a user in Detroit, MI - about 3 years ago. 1 Attorney answers: 
Asked by a user in Denver, CO - over 2 years ago. 1 Attorney answers: 
Asked by a user in Miami, FL - 6 months ago. Find Personal Injury LawyersRelated Searches |
