After months of paperwork, fees, and stress, the Board of Pardons has finally reached it’s decision. And, it’s in your favor! Congratulations – you’ve been granted a pardon from the Board of Pardons, a feat that not many accomplish. However, the pardon process is not completely over yet. There are still a few important things that you need to know. Even if your pardon application has been accepted and you got a pardon, you have to take other steps. Make sure you follow the rules so that your pardon is not revoked.

The Temporary Pardon

If the Board of Pardons grants you pardon, you will receive notice in the mail. However, the granting of your pardon is temporary. The Board needs another 8-10 months to do two things. First, the Board needs time to erase your criminal history from every database. Because there are so many records of your criminal history, a significant amount of time is needed. This makes sure that each database is notified and that your criminal record is fully erased.

The other thing that the Board will look out for in the 8-10 months after you receive your temporary pardon is if you received any new arrests while your pardon is pending. If you have been arrested and there are charges pending against you, the Board of Pardons can choose to revoke your pardon. This is because a new arrest might signify a lack of remorse and positive change in your life that the Board looks for when granting a pardon. All of this is explained in the letter from the Board of Pardons when you get your temporary pardon.

The Official Pardon

After the 8-10 months, so long as you have no new arrests, your criminal history will be fully erased from every database. At this point, you will receive notice from the Board of Pardon. At this time, you can honestly say that you have never been arrested and that you have never been convicted of a crime. This can help you improve your personal and professional life.

Benefits of an Official Pardon

Once you receive your official pardon, applying for jobs will become easier, because you won’t have to inform potential employers of criminal convictions. In addition, you can apply to other things like joining the military, going to college, and volunteering with a particular organization with greater ease.

What If I Was Denied a Pardon?

On another page on this website, I talk about what to do if you have been denied a pardon. If you are in this position, check out that page and also consider contacting our office. We can review your situation and determine how you can make your pardon application stronger in the future. This can help when you go to reapply for your pardon the second time.