- 1). Request an application for a pardon hearing. Mail a letter to the board of pardons and ask for the application. You will need to send the appropriate filing fee as a money order with your letter.
- 2). Fill out the pardon hearing application. Make sure that you have answered all the information correctly and included all of the required documentation. Each state requires different sets of documentation, but what is needed will be specified on the application.
- 3). Attend an interview by a state licensed parole officer. These interviews are typically conducted at the applicant's home. The purpose of the interview is to determine if you are now a productive member of society and if you are staying out of trouble.
- 4). Wait for the pardon board to review your application and the documentation concerning your case. This could take up to a year. The board will then decide whether or not you will be given a hearing.
- 5). Attend your hearing. The hearings are usually fairly short, clocking in at 15 minutes to half an hour. It is advisable to have an attorney present to speak on your behalf, but it is not required. Answer all the questions asked by the board members.
- 6). Get a recommendation from three of the five board members. From here your request will be forwarded to the governor of your state.
- 7). Wait for a signed letter from your state's governor. The governor will either approve or deny your pardon. Once you receive the letter, visit the clerk of the court in the location where your crime was committed and request for your record to be expunged. Present the signed letter along with the proper documents and the judge will order the felony erased from your record.
previous post