How do you get a criminal pardon?

Phil Davis

A pardon is an act of clemency granted by the state governor that can grant various levels of forgiveness for those convicted of crimes.

Applicants must first submit a written request for a pardon through the Maryland Parole Commission, which will review the application. The agency will then either deny the application or submit it to the governor's office with a recommendation the pardon be granted.

According to the state Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, those applying for pardons have had to not been convicted of any crimes for certain lengths of time, depending on the type of crime committed.

  • Misdemeanor crimes: 5 years
  • Felony crimes: 10 years, 7 years in certain cases at the discretion of the department's Parole Commission
  • Violent felony crimes: 20 years, 15 years in certain cases at the discretion of the Parole Commission

Those term lengths are dependent on either when the person was convicted or when the person was released from the terms of their sentence, be it parole, probation or a prison sentence.

Various other factors go into whether the application will be approved by the Parole Commission. The type of crime, the effect of being granted a pardon, as well as the person's ongoing rehabilitation are all considered.

Those applying for pardons can receive anywhere from a full pardon, which does not expunge records but absolves the applicant of guilt, to a partial pardon, in which a part of the conviction is forgiven but the remainder of the penalty must still be honored.

For more information on pardons, including information for felons to regain voting rights without a pardon, visit You can also call the Parole Commission directly at 410-585-3200 or toll-free at 1-877-241-5428.