You Need Representation During the Pardon Process
Once you have served your time in Oklahoma, you want to be done with the process. But there is one more step that you might want to consider. Oklahoma law allows a governor to pardon a person convicted of either a misdemeanor or felony in Oklahoma.
A pardon is an official statement of forgiveness from the state. There are real advantages to obtaining a pardon in Oklahoma. Let an attorney who knows the McAlester Ok legal system show you how.
Although the a pardon will not erase the crime from public records — only an expungement will do that — it helps ease you back into society. It can help show that you are a responsible citizen. It can also restore some rights that you may have lost as a result of your incarceration. A pardon can restor the right to vote, to hold public office, to purchase and carry a gun, and to obtain a liquor license if you own or operate a bar or restaurant. A pardon can also make it easier to find a job after incarceration.
How Do I Get a Pardon?
In order to get a pardon, you have to go through an application process with the state Pardon and Parole Board. Each month, 10 to 15 prior offenders petition the Oklahoma Probation and Parole Board to recommend a pardon on their behalf to the governor. Out of that number, usually half of the requests are granted. The governor usually follows the board’s recommendations in this regard.
The application is highly detailed and provides the board with a full personal, criminal, and civil background for you. It is always best if you hire an attorney to help you with the process. Contact a McAlester pardon attorney at the Wirth Law Office, McAlester for a free consultation at 918-302-9656.
What Is Involved in Getting a Pardon?
Getting a pardon involves a detailed application. The paperwork is lengthy and highly detailed. The board needs to examine many different parts of your life in order to make their decision. Your attorney is experienced and will have a clear understanding of what areas of your life the board will want to know about and how best to present the relevant information to the board.
Here are some of the factors that the board will look at in making a pardon determination:
- Act Responsibly: The board wants to know that you have accepted responsibility for your crime and have atoned for it.
- No Pending Charges: Any pending charges will most likely cause the board to disregard your application.
- Not in Jail or Prison: You must have completed all of your time, including any parole or probation, or completion of at least five years of supervised probation in your current case.
- No Other Recent Pardon Applications: A year must have passed since your last application for pardon. If you filed six months ago and your file was not complete, you will have to wait an additional six months before filing if you want the board to consider your application.
- Character References: You must provide three or more character references by people unrelated to you.
- Credit Status/Civil Litigation: You must list all matters currently in dispute or within the purview of the civil courts. This would include all business disputes, any bankruptcy proceedings, all unpaid and/or disputed outstanding taxes and the like. For any disputed matter, you can include explanatory material if you like.
- Your Criminal History: You must include all of your criminal history. The board conducts a thorough investigation into your history upon receiving your application. If you omit any criminal matter or proceeding from this list, your application will most likely be denied.
The Pardon and Parole Board meets monthly to discuss matters, including pardon applications. It may take the board several months to complete its investigation and make a recommendation to the Governor. The Governor’s office then has approximately 90 days to render its decision.
Hire a McAlester Pardon Attorney
The pardon application is lengthy and highly detailed. If your application is incomplete, or lacks relevant important information, it will be at least a year before you can apply again. Your McAlester pardon attorney can help make sure that your application contains everything that can help the Pardon and Parole Board decide in your favor.
Free Consultation with a McAlester Pardon Attorney
The Wirth Law Office – Attorney McAlester Ok is proud to provide its clients with the very best in representation at reasonable rates. For a free consultation with a McAlester pardon attorney, call 918-302-9656 or submit your question using the form at the top right of this page.