Ask Yourself These Five Questions Before Applying for a Pardon

If you have been convicted of a crime and you find that it is interfering with your everyday life, you might be interested in applying for a pardon so that your criminal history can be erased. If you have been considering the idea of applying for a pardon, but you are not sure if it is the right decision for you, ask yourself the following questions. If you can answer yes to the following questions, you might be a suitable pardon candidate, and it might be the right choice for your situation.

Have 3-5 years passed since the time of your last conviction?

Depending on the type of pardon that you are thinking of applying for, 3-5 years has to pass before you can be eligible for the pardon. If you have waited the appropriate amount of time, applying for a pardon might be in your best interest.

Have you been released from prison?

If you served a prison sentence for a crime, it must be over before you can apply for a pardon. If you are still in prison, you will not be eligible for a pardon.

Do your convictions impact your ability to work?

In some cases, you have to disclose your criminal history to a potential employer. Sometimes, this can affect an employer’s decision to hire you. This can have a negative affect on your ability to get a job, or to improve within a company. If you find that you are continuously turned down for jobs due to your criminal past, getting a pardon can make applying for jobs an easier process.

Have you made sincere efforts to change since the time of your conviction?

If you have decided to make positive changes in your life, you might be a good pardon candidate. Such positive changes might include:

• Going back to school to further your education.
• Attending counseling, therapy, or rehabilitation.
• Taking part in community service.
• Volunteering.
• Helping those in your community.
• Taking a job that helps others (such as being a teacher, pastor, nurse, tutor, coach, etc.).

If you have made an effort to help others and improve yourself, you might be a good pardon candidate.

Are you prepared for a long, sometimes tedious process?

Applying for a pardon is a big commitment. Luckily, with the help of a pardon lawyer, this process can be made much simpler. However, you will still have to wait about a year for the application process to be complete, you will have to prepare documentation for the Board of Pardons, and you will have to attend a pardon hearing. If you are not ready for this commitment, it is best not to apply for a pardon.
If you feel that you are ready to begin the pardon application process, it can be made much easier by hiring a pardon lawyer to assist you. My team and I can take care of locating documents and help you fill out the application. We can also prep you for your pardon hearing. To contact my office about representation during a pardon application, click here.