WHAT IS A PARDON?
A pardon is an act of clemency granted by the state governor that can grant various levels of forgiveness for those convicted of crimes.
In Maryland, you must first submit a written request for a pardon through the Maryland Parole Commission, which will review the application.
WHY WOULD I APPLY FOR A PARDON?
In Maryland, a pardon does not have many direct effects under the law. It can be useful, though, in helping you present yourself as a responsible and law-abiding citizen.
A pardon serves as a recognition that you have paid your debt and have adjusted well to society since completing your sentence.
There are specific requirements that must be met before you can apply for a pardon. You will want to read the carefully to determine whether or not you think your case is eligible for a pardon.
WILL A PARDON ERASE MY CONVICTION FROM MY CRIMINAL RECORD?
NO. You will still need to go through the expungement process to remove your court record from public view.
A petition for exungement based on a full and unconditional pardon may be filed immediately after the pardon has been signed by the Governor.
It may not be filed later than 10 years after he pardon was signed by the Governor.
I WANT TO GET A STATE PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, BUT CANNOT BECAUSE OF MY CONVICTION. WILL A PARDON ALLOW ME TO GET THAT LICENSE?
Many professions in Maryland require licenses. The licensing agency for each profession operates under different laws and policies.
Some agencies will consider you (and your criminal background) only if you receive a pardon, while others will not issue a license even if you are pardoned. And yet others do not require a pardon.
If you are seeking a professional license, you will have to contact the licensing agency for that profession to determine their guidelines. Start with the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation website at the Licensing Queries.
WILL A PARDON RESTORE MY RIGHT TO OWN AND POSSESS FIREARMS?
Maryland does not allow people convicted of any “disqualifying crime” from possessing a “regulated firearm.”
Disqualifying Crimes include:
- any crime of violence
- a felony
- any misdemeanor in the State that carries a statutory penalty of more than 2 years
A Pardon is the only way to restore the right to own and possess firearms.
NOTE: There may be Federal laws that apply to your particular case. For more information
contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, which is a division of the U.S.
Department of the Treasury.
WHAT IF I AM CONVICTED OF ANOTHER CRIME IN THE FUTURE?
A pardon will not prevent prior convictions from being considered if you are later convicted of another offense.
Your previous record may be used in the sentencing process even if the offense has been pardoned.
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING FOR A PARDON?
The following are the guidelines for applying for a pardon:
1. You cannot apply for a pardon if you are currently incarcerated.
2. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you must have been crime-free for a period of five (5) years from the date of sentence, release from incarceration, or release from parole or probation, whichever last occurred.
3. If you were convicted of a felony, you must have been crime-free for ten (10)years from the date of sentence, release from incarceration, or release from parole or probation, whichever last occurred except.
Note that the Parole Commission may – at its discretion and in specific instances – consider cases where only seven (7) years have elapsed.
4. If you were convicted of a felony for a violent crime or controlled dangerous substance violations, you must have been crime-free for twenty (20) years from the date of sentence, release from incarceration, or release from parole or probation, whichever last occurred.
Note that the Parole Commission may – at its discretion and in specific instances – consider cases where only seven (7) years have elapsed.
WHAT OTHER FACTORS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH MY APPLICATION?
Other factors which will be considered when your application is reviewed include:
1. The nature and circumstances of the crime.
2. The effect of a pardon on the victim and community.
3. The sentence given.
4. The other anti-social behavior of the petitioner.
5. The subsequent rehabilitation of the petitioner.
6. The reason the pardon is needed.
WHERE CAN I GET AN APPLICATION FOR PARDON?
You can get an application for pardon from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services
Maryland Parole Commission.
They are located at:
6776 REISTERSTOWN ROAD
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21215-2314
The phone number is:
(410) 585-3200 • FAX (410) 321-2314 • TOLL FREE (877) 241-5428 • V/TTY (800) 735-2258
You will find a copy of the application here:
https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/pdfs/Application-for-Pardon-Revised.pdf
OR YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FOR PARDON HERE
WHAT WILL I NEED TO COMPLETE MY APPLICATION?
The application is 27 pages long and requires in-depth information regarding your background and experiences. You will need specific dates for educational programs, copies of any diplomas, and certified copies of court records. The process will be lengthy. Be as thorough as you possibly can as this is your opportunity to show that you are committed to change.
You will need to attach to your application:
1)Three (3) completed character reference letters (pages 20, 21, & 22 of the
application).
2. Copy of photo identification or your driver’s license.
3. Copy of your birth certificate.
4. For each jurisdiction in which you held a driver’s license at any time, a
certified copy of your entire driving history from the Motor Vehicle
Authority.
5. For all felony and misdemeanor convictions, and all traffic convictions,
which involved drugs or alcohol, a certified copy of the judgment and
sentence in each case.
6. Copy of any high school, college, training school, and/or university
diploma(s).
7. If you served in the military, a copy of your separation papers (Form DD214).
8. If you were convicted of an offense by court-martial, with respect to each
conviction, a copy of the court-martial promulgating order.
YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO HAVE YOUR APPLICATION SIGNED AND NOTARIZED.
WHERE DO I SEND MY COMPLETED APPLICATION?
Once your application is completed, signed, notarized, and all documents are attached, you can send the package to:
Maryland Parole Commission
6776 Reisterstown Road
Suite 307
Baltimore, Maryland 21215
NOTE: To obtain certified copies of the docket entries for any crime that resulted in a conviction in the State of Maryland, contact the Clerk of he Court where sentencing occurred. The certified copies of he docket entries that you submit mus be stamped by the court with the words ‘True Copy, Test”, bear the signature of the Clerk of he Court and have the Court’s seal affixed.