You made a mistake, but you do not want to be defined by the mistake. Even if you try to put your conviction and past behind you, the record of it still exists. Fortunately, you can nullify a legal conviction through a pardon and an expungement.
A federal pardon is issued by the president to nullify any penalty associated with your conviction. The federal power of pardon is vested on the President of the United States and can be issued to individuals as well as a group of people.
Requesting for a pardon
The individual seeking a presidential pardon must submit a formal application through the Office of the Pardon Attorney. While evaluating your fitness for pardon, the Office of the Pardon Attorney takes into account a number of factors including the seriousness of the offense you were convicted of, your conduct following the conviction and the extent to which you have accepted responsibility and made meaningful decisions about turning your life around. The prosecutors who handled your case as well as the Deputy Attorney General may also share thoughts on whether your plea for pardon should be considered.
So who can qualify for a federal pardon?
Here are some of the qualifications you must meet to be eligible for federal pardon:
- Be convicted of a federal offense.
- Have waited for five years from the date of release from jail or five years from your sentencing date if you were not incarcerated.
- Have at least three character referees who are not related to you by either blood or marriage. The referees must be ready to sign an affidavit attesting to your positive character.
- Have completed all supervision requirements like parole, probation and supervised release.
Applying for a presidential pardon can be a long and arduous process. Knowing the conditions you must meet as well as the federal pardon application process can help you file a strong plea and boost your chance of getting a positive outcome for your pardon request.