An Illinois woman suffered a serious knee injury while skiing outside of Chicago, resulting in an ACL tear and requiring serious surgery and recovery time. During that time, she ended up struggling with prescription pain medication addiction. She eventually stole a blank prescription form to write false prescriptions for Vicodin. She is now a convicted felon in the state of Illinois. Even though she has been pill-free for 10 years, her felony conviction continues to haunt her.
The woman in this example and many other people throughout Illinois would benefit from a pardon. Governor J.B. Pritzker has a constitutional right to grant pardons of felony charges. After a pardon, the criminal charge is forgiven.
Are you having difficulty finding a job or adequate housing due to a felony conviction? You could benefit from a pardon.
The Types of Pardons in Illinois
Do you have a criminal record that cannot be expunged or sealed in Illinois? If so, the only way to get rid of your criminal record is to request that the governor expunge your record through a pardon. You will need to petition the governor’s office for a pardon. The governor has the authority to deny or approve your petition for a pardon.
A pardon is different from clemency. A pardon offers you a completely fresh start and results in your conviction being overturned and if you are also granted an expungement during the same hearing, then your offense is taken off of your criminal record. Clemency is different and that happens when the governor reduces a criminal sentence but the conviction still stands on your record.
The Prisoner Review Board Process
Working with an experienced lawyer is important because the process of seeking a pardon is very complicated. You will need to provide detailed information about your criminal record, personal information, and an explanation of why you would like a pardon and why the governor should pardon you.
The governor of Illinois uses an advisory board during the pardon process called the Prisoner Review Board. Even if you did not receive a prison sentence, the Prisoner Review Board will still review and hear your petition for a pardon. You will file your petition for a pardon with the Prisoner Review Board. The petition is very complex and presenting this petition has many pitfalls that can trip up the petitioner and get them denied outright. If your petition is denied for one of the common mistakes made by petitioners seeking a pardon, it can be much more difficult to get any subsequent hearings granted.
The Petition for a Pardon Travels to the Governor’s Office and a Decision is Made
After your hearing before the Prison Review Board, the Board will send your petition to the Governor along with their confidential opinion as to whether or not you should receive a pardon. The governor will have the discretion to accept or deny your petition.
We Have a Proven Record of Successful Pardons
Working with an experienced lawyer is important because the process of seeking a pardon is so complicated. You will need to provide detailed information about your criminal record, personal information, and an explanation of why you would like a pardon and why the governor should pardon you.
While the pardon process is very complicated, and most attorneys have never presented a petition for a pardon. Attorneys that understand what goes into a successful pardon petition and hearing have a greatly enhanced chance of successfully getting you pardoned and getting your life back on track. The governor does routinely pardon criminal charges. For the past 20 years Thomas Glasgow at the law firm of Glasgow & Olsson has a reputation for success when it comes to representing clients in pardons. Contact our law firm today to schedule your initial consultation.