{"id":340,"date":"2018-04-13T15:54:14","date_gmt":"2018-04-13T15:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/?page_id=340"},"modified":"2025-01-28T04:41:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-28T04:41:15","slug":"pardon","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.navigatingreentry.org\/index.php\/pardon\/","title":{"rendered":"Pardon"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>WHAT IS A PARDON?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

A\u00a0pardon<\/b>\u00a0is an act of clemency granted by the state governor that can grant various levels of forgiveness for those convicted of crimes. <\/span><\/p>\n

In Maryland, you must first submit a written request for a\u00a0pardon<\/b>\u00a0through the\u00a0Maryland<\/b>\u00a0Parole Commission<\/strong>, which will review the applicatio<\/span>n.<\/span><\/p>\n

WHY WOULD I APPLY FOR A<\/span><\/strong> PARDON?<\/span><\/h3>\n

In Maryland, a pardon<\/strong> does not have many direct effects under the law.\u00a0 It can be useful, though,\u00a0 in helping you present yourself as a responsible and law-abiding citizen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A pardon serves as a recognition that you have paid your debt and have adjusted well to society since completing your sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are specific requirements that must be met before you can apply for a pardon.\u00a0 You will want to read the carefully to determine whether or not you think your case is eligible for a pardon.<\/span><\/p>\n

WILL A PARDON ERASE MY CONVICTION FROM MY CRIMINAL RECORD?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

NO<\/strong>.\u00a0 You will still need to go through the expungement process to remove your court record from public view.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

A petition for exungement based on a full and unconditional pardon may be filed immediately after the pardon has been signed by the Governor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It may not be filed later than 10 years after he pardon was signed by the Governor.<\/span><\/p>\n

I WANT TO GET A STATE PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, BUT CANNOT BECAUSE OF MY CONVICTION.\u00a0 WILL A PARDON ALLOW ME TO GET THAT LICENSE?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many professions in Maryland require licenses.\u00a0 The licensing agency for each profession operates under different laws and policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 And yet others do not require a pardon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you are seeking a professional license, you will have to contact the licensing agency for that profession to determine their guidelines.\u00a0 Start with the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation<\/span> website at the Licensing Queries.<\/span><\/p>\n

WILL<\/strong> A PARDON RESTORE MY RIGHT TO OWN AND POSSESS FIREARMS?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Maryland does not allow people convicted of any “disqualifying crime” from possessing a “regulated firearm.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Disqualifying Crimes include:<\/span><\/p>\n