Alabama
The Board may grant a full pardon, which restores all rights, or they may grant a pardon with restrictions. The Board may restrict the right to possess a firearm and/or they may require that a person convicted of a sex offense continue to comply with all sex offender restrictions. They may also not relieve an offender of the consequences of the habitual offender act.The Board has the discretion to place other restrictions as deemed appropriate.

A pardon with restoration of civil and political rights may be granted to applicants who reside in Alabama. If the applicant resides in another state, we recommend that they apply in the state of residence. A pardon from Alabama on a federal case is only good in Alabama.

Alaska
You can apply to be relieved from further punishment and disabilities imposed by reason of conviction of a criminal offense.  It is an act of grace which represents forgiveness for the particular crime.

The primary legal effect of a pardon is that it sets aside a conviction for a crime committed under the laws of the State of Alaska or the Territory of Alaska. This serves to relieve the person to whom it is granted from all further punishment and other legal consequences imposed by reason of the conviction.  A pardon will restore your rights to own and register a fire arm.

You may submit a written request to the head of the agency responsible for maintaining past conviction or current offender information, asking the agency to seal your criminal record.

A person about whom information is sealed under this section may deny the existence of the information and of an arrest, charge, conviction, or sentence shown in the information.

Automatic Restoration of Rights:
The rights to vote and to serve on a jury are lost upon conviction of a felony and automatically restored upon completion of sentence (“unconditional discharge”).
Alaska Stat. §§ 09.20.020; 15.05.030(a); 33.30.241.
A felony offender may not possess concealed weapon for 10 years following discharge (lost permanently if offense is one against the person), unless conviction set aside or pardoned.

Eligibility:
Two years after completion of sentence. Persons convicted under federal law or convicted under the law of another state are ineligible for a Governor’s pardon. •

Effect:
Pardon is the only way to regain rights lost and remove disabilities under Alaska law. Pardon has the effect of “setting aside” the conviction, so that individual is deemed not to have been convicted (though conviction remains on the record).

LEGAL EFFECTS OF A PARDON IN ALASKA

Rights
One of the primary misconceptions about pardons in Alaska is that a pardon is the only manner by which one may have one’s rights restored. In some states a pardon is the only manner by which a convicted felon may have his or her civil rights restored. However, in Alaska some rights are automatically restored upon unconditional discharge, which is the completion of one’s sentence, including any period of probation, discretionary parole, or mandatory parole.

Right to Serve on a Jury: A person is disqualified from serving as a juror if the person has been convicted of a felony for which the person has not been unconditionally discharged. AS 09.20.037(1)
Thus, in Alaska, a pardon is not necessary to restore one’s eligibility to serve on a jury or to vote. The right to vote and the right to serve on a jury are automatically restored to felons upon unconditional discharge of the sentence.

Voting Rights: Any person convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude under federal or state law may not vote in a federal, state or municipal election from the date of the conviction through the date of unconditional discharge. AS 15.05.030
Upon presenting proof that the person is unconditionally discharged from custody the person may register to vote [AS 15.07.135]. If you wish to participate in an election in Alaska after unconditional discharge of your sentence, contact your voting district’s regional officer .

Arkansas
A pardon is the exemption of a convicted person from the penalties of an offense or crime. A pardon can restore the right to serve on a jury and the right to possess firearms.

An expungement is automatically granted after the pardon has been granted. The record “shall be sealed, sequestered, and treated as confidential”.  The individual may state that no such conduct ever occurred and that no such records exist. 

A person whose record is expunged “shall have all privileges and rights restored, shall be completely exonerated, and the record which have been expunge shall not affect any civil rights or liberties, unless otherwise specifically provided for by law.”

No person shall possess a firearm who has been convicted of a felony. A.C.A. 5-73-103(a)(1). The Governor may restore this privilege with a pardon expressly restoring the right or without a pardon under certain circumstances. A.C.A. 5-73-103(d). An expunged conviction may serve as the basis for a conviction under this statute if the offense was committed after March 12, 1995. See Act 595 of 1995; see also Attorney General’s Op. 2002-173.

California
A pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive and law-abiding life following conviction.  A person who receives a pardon may serve on a jury. A full pardon will enable one to possess any type of weapon that may lawfully be possessed by others in California.

An expungement relieves the defendant of certain penalties and disabilities that result from a criminal action.  Under California law, once a case is expunged you are no longer required to disclose these convictions on job applications and in interviews for certain jobs. 

Sealing a criminal record means to remove the specific record from public view.  When a criminal history record is sealed, the public will not have access to it.  Sealed records remain in a confidential file on the Department of Justice’s computer but it does not show up on record checks such as background checks done by employers

If you were arrested for or convicted of the following offenses before January 1, 1976, you can request for the record to be purged

Possession of “not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana”;
unlawful possession of marijuana paraphernalia;
unlawful presence in a place where marijuana is being used; unlawfully being under the influence of marijuana.

When a case is purged, the marijuana arrest and conviction records are completely removed from the rap sheet.

California Expungement: An expungement relieves the defendant of certain penalties and disabilities that result from a criminal action. Under California law, once a case is expunged you are no longer required to disclose these convictions on job applications and in interviews for certain jobs.

California Seal: Sealing a criminal record means to remove the specific record from public view. When a criminal history record is sealed, the public will not have access to it. Sealed records remain in a confidential file on the Department of Justice’s computer but it does not show up on record checks such as background checks done by employers.

California Pardon: A pardon in California is a last resort for people who do not qualify for expungement or sealing. A pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive and law-abiding life following conviction (minimum of 10 years for a pardon). A person who receives a pardon may serve on a jury. A full pardon will enable one to possess any type of weapon that may lawfully be possessed by others in California.

Effect of a Pardon: A pardon does not seal the individual's criminal record, and the pardon is itself a public record. When a pardon is granted, the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are notified so that they may update their records on the applicant. The pardon is filed with the Secretary of State, reported to the Legislature, and is a public record.

Restoration of Rights
The most frequent reasons for requesting a pardon are for personal satisfaction and for licensing, bonding, or other employment purposes.

A pardon does not seal or expunge the record of the conviction. (Penal Code sec. 4852.17.) If the person is subsequently convicted of a new offense, the prior conviction may be considered even after a pardon has been granted. A person who has been pardoned cannot say that he or she has no record of arrests or convictions. The person can, however, say that he or she has been convicted and pardoned.

A pardon is not necessary to vote. A person who receives a pardon may serve on a jury. A person convicted of a felony who receives a full and unconditional pardon may be employed as a state parole officer or as a county probation officer but cannot otherwise be employed as a peace officer.

A person convicted of a felony cannot own or possess firearms. If the individual receives a full and unconditional pardon, he or she may own or possess any type of weapon that may lawfully be possessed by others in California, unless the person was convicted of an offense that involved the use of a dangerous weapon. A California pardon does not necessarily permit the possession of weapons under the laws of another state or the federal government. The law governing the right to own or possess firearms can be found in Penal Code section

Colorado
A pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive and law-abiding life following conviction. A pardon restores fire arm privileges.  It also removes legal disabilities, including employment disqualifications, and is likely to enhance an individual’s employability.

An expungement is the process that removes a criminal record from general view. An expungement gives you the ability to indicate that no record exists for employment purposes. 

Sealing a criminal record means to remove the specific record from public view. When a criminal history record is sealed, the public will not have access to it.

Eligibility: Pardon applications are not generally accepted until at least 10 years after completion of sentence. Persons convicted under federal law or in another state are not eligible for gubernatorial pardon.

Process: Application must be sent for comment to DA and court, which have 10 days to comment.

What are sealed records
Sealed criminal records under Colorado law are records involving a criminal incident that can be represented not to exist. Under Colorado law, most adult criminal records are accessible to the public for inspection during regular business hours. One exception is where you have not been charged, the case has been completely dismissed, or you were acquitted of all charges and you are granted a
court order to seal any record of the incident in the case.

What is the process for sealing criminal records?
To seal your records, you must petition the district court of the district in which arrest and criminal records information pertaining to you are located.

You must file a separate petition for each case or incident you want sealed. There is a fee for each petition you file.
After you obtain the necessary forms, you must determine whether you are eligible under the statute to have your record(s) sealed.

You are eligible to have records sealed ONLY if
:• you were not charged;
• the case against you was completely dismissed; or
• you were acquitted of all charges.

If you are eligible, the records that you may seek to seal can include:
• the police contact;
• an arrest;
• an indictment, information, or summons and complaint and any court case associated with it;
• any other record held by a criminal justice agency regarding the incident.

You may NOT petition to seal any records of cases involving a conviction on a DUI or DWAI and certain traffic offenses and infractions. No criminal justice information involving a CONVICTION may be sealed. It is your responsibility to specify, in your petition, each criminal justice agency that has a copy of your record(s). After the petition is filed and the fees are paid, the court sets a hearing date. Each agency that you listed on the petition will receive a notice of the petition and the hearing. If the court decides to grant your Petition to Seal Arrest and Criminal Records, it orders the record to be sealed.

Connecticut
A pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive and law-abiding life following conviction.  A pardon will automatically erase court records of the offense and prohibits employers from inquiring about the record.  A pardon will restore firearm rights if they were taking away from you after conviction.

After receiving an expungement the record will be automatically erased.  Any person or agency in charge of the retention or controlling of the record may not disclose to anyone any information pertaining to the charged erased.

A pardon means that you have been officially excused for your crime, but you are not cleared of guilt for the crime. A pardon can be absolute (total) or conditional (partial). If you are granted an absolute pardon for any conviction, that charge will be removed/erased from your record.

You can apply for a pardon if at least 5 years have passed since your last felony conviction (3 years for a misdemeanor conviction). To apply, you must complete a long application (there are very strict deadlines) and you may have to go to a hearing. In Connecticut, applications are accepted and hearings are held throughout the state at least once every three months.

Delaware
A pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive and law-abiding life following conviction. A pardon will fully restore all civil rights to the person being pardoned. The right to vote, right to serve on a jury, the right to purchase & register a firearm.

An Expungement is the sealing of a person's criminal record. The expungement process will seal a criminal record from public view.

The General Assembly finds that arrest records can be a hindrance to an innocent citizen's ability to obtain employment, obtain an education or to obtain credit. This is intended to protect innocent persons from unwarranted damage which may occur as the result of arrest and other criminal proceedings which are unfounded or nproven upon the granting by the court for an order for the expungement of records in accordance with this subchapter, a copy of such order shall be forwarded to the federal Department of Justice.

Florida
A Pardon is a constitutionally authorized process that provides the means through which convicted felons may seek restoration of their civil rights and may be considered for relief from punishment.  The restoration of voting rights and other civil rights, pardons, commutation of sentence, relief from fines and forfeitures, and restoration of firearm authority will be granted.

When a record has been expunged, those entities which would have access to a sealed record will be informed that the subject of the record has had a record expunged, but would not have access to the record itself without a court order. 

Any criminal history record that is ordered to be expunged by a court of competent jurisdiction must be physically destroyed or obliterated by any criminal justice agency having custody of such record.

Sealing a criminal record means to remove the specific record from public view. When a criminal history record is sealed, the public will not have access to it, but certain governmental or related entities may have access to it.

When a criminal history record is sealed, the public will not have access to it. Certain governmental or related entities, primarily those listed in s. 943.059(4)(a), Florida Statutes, have access to sealed record information in its entirety.

When a record has been expunged, those entities which would have access to a sealed record will be informed that the subject of the record has had a record expunged, but would not have access to the record itself without a court order. All they would receive is a caveat statement indicating that "Criminal Information has been Expunged from this Record".

Once an order has been issued by the court of competent jurisdiction to seal or expunge your criminal history record and a certified copy of this order has been received by the FDLE, it will be complied with in accordance with state statutes. . In order to have your civil rights restored you had to have been convicted (adjudicated guilty) of a felony that was the basis for your loss of civil rights. Persons who have been convicted (adjudicated guilty) of a felony are not eligible for a seal or expunge of their criminal history under Florida law, regardless of whether their civil rights have been restored.

Georgia
A pardon is a distinct achievement based upon proof of a useful, productive and law-abiding life following conviction.  The right to vote, right to serve on a jury, the right to purchase or possess firearms will be restored.

The terms "expunge" and "expunction" shall mean that all records or other evidence of the existence of the complaint shall be destroyed.

Automatic Restoration of Rights:
Civil rights lost upon conviction of a "felony involving moral turpitude." ). Right to vote restored automatically “upon completion of the sentence.” Id. Convicted person may not hold public office “unless that person's civil rights have been restored and at least ten years have elapsed from the date of the completion of the sentence without a subsequent conviction of another felony involving moral turpitude.” . To regain the right to sit on a jury, either a pardon or restoration of civil rights is necessary.

• Eligibility: For restoration of rights, the applicant must have completed sentence (including fine), have no pending charges, and completed two years
without any criminal involvement. For a full pardon, applicant must havecompleted a five-year waiting period after completion of sentence with no criminal involvement. Waiver available “if the waiting period is shown to be detrimental to the applicant's livelihood by delaying his qualifying for employment in his chosen profession.”

• Effect: Restoration of rights affects only basic civil rights (jury, public office). A full pardon which does not imply innocence relieves “civil and political disabilities imposed because of conviction,” A pardon, however, does not restore a convicted felony offender to a public office he was forced to relinquish as a result of the conviction.

• Firearms: Firearm privileges are restored only if a pardon expressly authorizes the receipt, possession, or transportation of a firearm. A pardon applicant may request that the pardon be specially worded to restore this firearm right, but he must provide in detail his reason for the request, and provide three character witnesses.

Illinois
A pardon will remove the penalties and disabilities that resulted from the conviction and will restore all civil rights. The agencies holding the record will destroy the record or remove all mention of your name from the public record. It relieves the defendant of certain penalties and disabilities that result from a criminal action.  Even if you were found not guilty you still need to be expunged.

Under the laws of the State of Illinois you do not have disclose any past conviction or charges to any employers or potential employers after you have been expunged or sealed.   If you have your records expunged, in many cases, the records will be “off-limits” to employers and the rest of the general public and treated like they never existed. For example, when you fill out a job application, you do not have to tell a potential employer about the case you have had expunged.

Under the old Criminal Identification Act, only qualifying misdemeanor could be
sealed. However, the Illinois Legislature passed new laws effective June 1, 2005, making it possible for Class 4 Felony Drug Possession and Class 4 Felony Prostitution convictions to be eligible to be sealed 4 years after the sentence is completed.

The Criminal Identification Act was designed to expunge and seal criminal records. It does not apply to traffic tickets, divorces or orders of protection..

Felonies in the State of Illinois:
Most felony arrests and convictions cannot be expunged or sealed without a pardon which specifically authorizes expungement. There are a few exceptions, however; arrests and convictions for Class 4 Felony Drug Possession and Class 4 Felony Prostitution cases may qualify to be sealed. Felony arrests that do not result in a conviction may be expunged.

Misdemeanors in the State of Illinois:

• Most misdemeanor convictions in Illinois can be expunged or sealed. Class 4 Felony Drug Possession:

• If you are asking to have your class 4 Felony Drug Possession case sealed, the Criminal Identification Act requires that you attach proof to your petition that you have passed a drug test taken within 30 days before you file your petition. Only drug convictions for “simple” possession cases can be sealed. Drug convictions for “possession with intent” cannot be sealed.
Pardon in the State of Illinois:

• A pardon will remove the penalties and disabilities that resulted from the conviction and will restore all civil rights. The agencies holding the record will destroy the record or remove all mention of your name from the public record. It relieves the defendant of certain penalties and disabilities that result from a criminal action

Maine
A pardon represents evidence of rehabilitation.
After 10 years a pardoned person can apply to the State Bureau of Identification to have all references to the pardoned crime deleted from the FBI’s identification record.

A pardon represents evidence of rehabilitation.
After 10 years a pardoned person can apply to the State Bureau of Identification to have all references to the pardoned crime deleted from the FBI’s identification record.

Right to vote and other civil rights are not lost even upon incarceration.

A firearm permit may be obtained five years after final discharge from sentence.

Lifts automatic barriers, evidences rehabilitation. Because
Maine has no expungement law, criminal record is not "wiped clean"; instead, information concerning the pardoned conviction is considered "non-conviction" data and is available under the conditions or circumstances set forth in Pardoned person may, ten years after final discharge, apply to State Bureau of Identification to have all references to the pardoned crime deleted from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's identification record.

Maryland
"Pardon" means an act of clemency in which the Governor, by order, absolves the grantee from the guilt of the grantee's criminal acts and exempts the grantee from any penalties imposed by law for those criminal acts.

All disabilities and penalties imposed by the conviction will be lifted. Voting, holding public office, jury and firearms privileges are restored.

Expungement is the removal of police and court records from public inspection. A person need not refer to or give information concerning an expunged charge when answering a question concerning a criminal charge.

Expungement in the State of New Jersey: An expungement is the process that removes a criminal record from general view. Once a record is expunged, the individual is legally permitted to state that there is no record.
Expungement waiting periods in the State of New Jersey:


• 2 years for Municipal Offenses.
• 5 years for Misdemeanor (Disorderly Persons/Petty Offenses).
• 10 years for Felony Offenses.

A pardon restores the rights of citizenship a convicted felon enjoyed prior to conviction,
excluding the right to bear arms unless otherwise stated. However, the pardon only removes the disabilities imposed by the State of New Mexico, such as the right to vote and hold public office; this pardon does not remove disabilities imposed by the federal statute, and although a pardon restores citizenship rights, it does not allow for the police, prosecutors, or court records to be expunged. Inasmuch as a pardon restores citizenship rights.

Expungement in the State of New York: Adult felony and misdemeanor convictions cannot be expunged, except where a pardon has been given for innocence.

In all the above cases of persons eligible for expungement, the expungement is to be made as a matter of law. In the case of youths seeking to have records expunged under the inherent authority of the court, a motion to expunge must be made.

Certificates in the State of New York: A certificate is available to people with no more than one felony conviction and many misdemeanor convictions. The certificate will relieve and remove disabilities and disqualifications that are imposed upon as a result of the conviction. It will restore firearm rights through specific indication. A certificate makes it illegal for an employer to consider an applicant’s criminal background in the hiring process. If applicant is turned down for the job then employer must write a letter stating why applicant was not hired.

Certificate of Relief from Disabilities (CRD): CRD is available to people with no more than one felony conviction and any number of misdemeanor convictions. A CRD is also available to people with federal convictions who reside in New York at sentencing, or at any time thereafter. If issued prior to expiration of supervision, it is deemed temporary, and may be revoked.

Certificate of Good Conduct (CDC): CDC is available to people with a multitude of felony convictions.
Sealing criminal records in the State of New York: Sealing is available for favorable dispositions such as acquittals, dismissals, decline prosecution and a variety of non criminal infractions (except DWI and prostitution).

Expungement is the process by which a criminal conviction and/or arrest is destroyed and erased from court records. Once a criminal record is expunged, the conviction is considered to have never occurred. You do not have to advise employers about your past conviction

You are not eligible for an expungement if: Your conviction is for a sex crime or child abuse crime; you have been convicted of another crime within the immediately preceding 10-year period of applying for an expungement; your conviction is for a traffic offense; or there is another criminal charge pending against you in court.

Anyone convicted of a “crime of violence” is ineligible for “expungement”.

Civil Rights: Civil rights are lost upon a sentence to imprisonment, and regained only when prison sentence fully discharged, including parole. : “A sentence of imprisonment in the state penitentiary for any term suspends the right of the person so sentenced to vote, to hold public office, to become a candidate for public office and to serve on a jury, and forfeits all public offices and all private trusts, authority, or power during the term of such imprisonment.” (disqualifying from legislative office those who cannot vote); (convicted felons may not sit on jury unless civil rights restored). Rights are lost even if prison sentence is suspended by court, and are not restored until “the termination of the time of the original sentence or the time extended by order of the court.” Upon issuance of discharge certificate by Secretary of Corrections, a person is considered “restored to the full rights of citizenship.” Discharge certificate not issued until entire prison sentence completed, including any period of parole. Id. People not sentenced to penitentiary do not lose any civil rights. B. Firearms: Firearms rights not lost unless convicted of a “crime of violence,” in which case rights restored automatically after 15 years without another conviction for a crime of violence or certain drug felonies.

Utah
You are eligible for an expungement of arrest, investigation, or detention record if the following conditions are met: At least 30 days have passed since arrest. There have been no intervening arrests. The proceedings were dismissed. You were acquitted. You were discharged without conviction and no charges were re-filed within 30 days. You were released without formal charges being filed.

You can apply for an expungement of the record of arrest, investigation, and detention by filing a petition. You are eligible for expungement of conviction if the following conditions are met: You have no more than one felony or two class A or B misdemeanor convictions you have been released from incarceration, parole, or probation for the specified amount of time. You have satisfied all fines and restitution ordered as part of the sentence.

To get an expungement, you must seek and receive a certificate of Eligibility for Expungement from the Utah State Bureau of Criminal Identification. Some factors that may result in denial of this certificate are: Time period required by law has not been met. See below. This time period does not begin until all confinement and probation has been completed and fines are paid.

Virginia
A pardon relieves an offender from further punishment imposed by reason of a conviction of a criminal offense. A restoration of rights will restore the rights to vote, sit on a jury, hold public office and serve as a notary public. A pardon constitutes forgiveness and generally serves as the means of advancement in employment and education. Information about a particular arrest or charge is removed from the version of the rap sheet that will be sent to employers and others.

If convicted of a felony in Virginia, then a felon must obtain a "removal of political disabilities" from the Governor in order to regain the right to vote. A felon is eligible to apply for the removal of political disabilities if he or she completed the sentence more than 5 years ago and if all court costs and restitution have been satisfied.

Washington
A pardon relieves an offender from further punishment imposed by reason of a conviction of a criminal offense. A Pardon will remove the conviction from the defendant’s criminal history. Restoration of rights may be issued in alternative to a pardon to restore rights to the defendant. An expungement is the process that removes a criminal record from general view In order to regain the right to vote, a felon must have his or her civil rights restored. Civil rights are restored by the issuance of a certificate of discharge.

When a felon has completed all of the requirements of sentence, the Department of Corrections notifies the sentencing court. The sentencing court then issues and provides the felon with a certificate of discharge, which will have the effect of restoring the right to vote. A felon must then register to vote, unless the crime was committed before 1984.