Pardon Guidelines

PARDON GUIDELINES

Submit Pardon Application to the: Maryland Parole Commission Suite 307, Plaza Office Center 6776 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215 Phone: (410)585-3200

You cannot get a conviction expunged unless you are pardoned by the Governor

Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc. 1800 North Charles Street Suite 206 Baltimore, MD 21201 1-800-773-4340 or 410-685-6589 www.hprplaw.org

This brochure is provide for information purposes only and does not act as legal advice. This information is not a substitution for a careful review of your individual situation with an attorney. March 2010

Homeless Persons Representation Project, Inc. 1800 North Charles Street Suite 206 Baltimore, MD 21201 1-800-773-4340 or 410-685-6589 www.hprplaw.org

GET YOUR OWN COPY OF YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD Generally, any arrest or citation will show up on your “criminal record” REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENED LATER IN COURT. This means that your records will show the arrest or citation even if: Your Case Was Dismissed You Were Acquitted (Found Not Guilty) Probation Before Judgment Was Entered A Nolle Prosequi Was Entered The Case was Placed on the Stet Docket Of Course, if you were found guilty or paid a fine, that also will be on your record as a CONVICTION. You can get a copy of your record through the CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM, it will cost you $38. You must apply in person at anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. at: Reisterstown Plaza, Room 200 6776 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215 CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED—Only money orders, certified checks or personal checks made payable to CJIS-Central Repository. In most cases, if you were not convicted of a crime, you get the charges expunged from your “criminal record”. If you were convicted of a crime, you must obtain a pardon from the governor before you can expunge the convictions from your record.

Check to see if you are Eligible under the State’s PARDON GUIDELINES

To be eligible for a pardon: You must not be currently incarcerated or on probation. If you were convicted of a MISDEMEANOR, you must have been crime free for 5 years from the date of your sentence, release from incarceration or release from parole or probation; whichever occurred last. If you were convicted of a FELONY, you must have been crime free for at least 10 years from the date of sentence, release from incarceration or release from parole or probation; whichever occurred last. However, the Parole Commission may, at its discretion and in specific instances, consider cases in which only 7 years have elapsed.

from incarceration or release from Parole Commission may, at its discretion and in specific instances, consider cases in which only 15 years have elapsed. Crimes of violence are: Abduction, Arson, Kidnapping, Manslaughter, Mayhem, Murder, Rape, Robbery, Sexual Offense in first or second Degree, Use of Handgun in the Commission of a Felony, Assault with intent to Murder, Assault with intent to Rape. You must submit a certified copy of the docket entries for any crime which resulted in a conviction in the State of Maryland. Certified copies can be obtained from the Clerk of the Court where the sentencing occurred or at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis, Maryland.

If you were convicted of a FELONY CRIME of VIOLENCE or Controlled Dangerous Substance FELONY, you must have been crime free for at least 20 years from the date of sentence, release

PARDON APPLICATION CHECKLIST __Complete each section of the application. __Sign & notarize the Certification, Authorization, and Acknowledgement. __Attach the following:

5. For all felony and misdemeanor convictions, and all traffic convictions, which involved drugs or alcohol, a certified copy of the judgments and sentence in each case.

1.Three (3) completed character reference letters (page 20, 21, and 22 of the application).

6. Copy of any high school, college, training school, and/or university diplomas (s).

2. Copy of the photo identification or your driver’s license.

7. If you served in the military, a copy of your separation papers. (from DD-214).

3. Copy of your birth certificate.

8. If you were convicted of an offense by court-martial, with respect to each conviction, a copy of the court-martial promulgating order.

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.

__Copy the completed Application for Pardon and all the attachments for your files.