Pardons in Texas

Under Texas law, the Governor has the ability to grant pardons except in certain cases. When granted a full pardon, you are essentially being forgiven for a previous crime and many, if not all, of your citizenship rights will be restored, such as voting rights, the right to serve on a jury, hold public office, and act as the executor of an estate. Beyond this, a full pardon will restore your good name and reputation and remove the stigma of a criminal conviction. Once pardoned, your conviction will still remain on public record but the pardon will also become part of the record as well. You will be able to disclose the pardon should anyone inquire into the conviction.

The legal process involved in obtaining a pardon is a petition to the Governor. You must also be eligible according to specific requirements. Before a pardon can be granted, written recommendations for the pardon must be given to the Governor by a majority of the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Types of Texas Pardons

Three types of pardons exist in Texas: full pardon, conditional pardon, and a pardon based on innocence. You must be discharged from a felony sentence in order to be eligible for a full pardon. Pardons for misdemeanor convictions are only considered under extreme, unusual, or exceptional circumstances. Those who are still in prison are also eligible for a full pardon only in extreme circumstances.

Conditional pardons allow you to be free of sentencing but make you subject to certain conditions. If you violate those conditions, your conditional pardon may be revoked. These types of pardons are restricted to certain specific cases. Pardons based on innocence exonerate you of the crime for which you have been convicted and eradicate the conviction. Specific evidence must be submitted to achieve this. These types of pardons are only allowed in state felony convictions.

Because the pardon application process can be tedious and frustrating, it is vital that you seek the services of an attorney who is familiar with the process. The Downey Law Firm has a legal team that is dedicated exclusively to criminal defense and post-conviction relief. Our team has a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist and an experienced criminal defense attorney with a proven track record in assisting clients in these matters.