Why Should You Apply for a Governor’s Pardon Now?
Time is running out for California Governor Jerry Brown. He is about to enter his final year in office and he is not eligible to run again. After the 2018 election, he will be a normal citizen.
What does this mean for you? It means you should consider applying for a Governor’s Pardon immediately if you have a criminal conviction on your record.
What is a Governor’s Pardon?
A Governor’s Pardon is a grant from the governor that forgives a person for past crime and ends many of the negative effects of the conviction. Generally, a pardon could terminate an active sentence or probation, grant you immediate release from custody, and restore some of your rights, such as the right to vote and serve on a jury.
If you are pardoned of a felony conviction, you could have many of the rights you lost restored. For example, you could be eligible to own a firearm, serve on a jury, and apply for jobs for which felons are not eligible, such as positions with state or local government agencies. If you were previously convicted for a sex offense, a pardon may allow you to stop registering as a sex offender.
However, a pardon does not remove all of the effects of your conviction. For example, a pardon will not prevent the court from considering your pardoned offense as a prior conviction if you are later convicted of a new offense. A pardoned also does not excuse you from disclosing your conviction to potential employers on job applications. If you are an immigrant, a Governor’s Pardon will not necessarily prevent your deportation.
To obtain a pardon, you will need a skilled attorney who can put together a file that includes your pardon questionnaire, character letters, your criminal history (if any), and your biography so that the governor’s office can get a full picture of why you deserve to be pardoned.
Why is It Important to Act Now?
No governor in the history of California has granted more pardons than Gov. Brown. Since taking office in 2011, he has issued 926 pardons. By contrast, the three governors that preceded him – Pete Wilson, Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger – combined to pardon just 29 people.
Many of these pardons have been issued during two holidays: Christmas and Easter. Gov. Brown only has two Christmas Days and one Easter left in office, and while he could issue a flurry of pardons during his final days in office, the personnel who process pardon applications will need time to review each case before a pardon can be issued.
If you want the best chance to have your pardon application granted, the time to act is now.
Contact the Criminal Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich Today
To put together a successful pardon application, you will need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled team of attorneys has been successfully helping our clients obtain post-conviction relief for over 40 years. We work diligently and tirelessly to help our clients reduce the impact of their prior criminal history on their lives.
With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Diego, West Covina, Torrance and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney available to help you no matter where you work or live.
Contact our offices today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
