FAQ / Getting A Pardon. How?

In extremely rare cases, you can get a pardon. A pardon is essentially forgiveness of your conviction. However, although a pardon removes any legal infirmities resulting from your conviction¡Xfor example, if you were convicted of a felony, your ability to vote will be restored¡Xit will not seal or expunge the arrest or conviction from your records. In the District of Columbia, the President, rather than the Mayor, has the power to grant pardons. See U.S. Const., Art. II, Sec. 2. In the rare instances that he grants a pardon, the President does so on the recommendation of the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Department of Justice. See 29 Fed. Reg. ¡±¡± 1.3(c), 1.9 (2001). Under the Office of the Pardon Attorney's regulations, you are eligible for a pardon if:
ƒ©ƒnYou were convicted of a federal offense or were convicted in Washington, D.C. See 28 Fed. Reg. ¡± 1.4 (2001). ƒ©ƒnIt has been 5 years since you were convicted or released from prison, probation, parole or supervised release, whichever is longer. See 29 Fed. Reg. ¡± 1.2 (2001).
The Office of the Pardon Attorney has a form that must be used to apply for a pardon. See 28 Fed. Reg. ¡± 1.1 (2001).

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