CAN AN OFFENDER’S YOUTH HELP WIN A COMMUTATION?

Depending on certain factors, an offender’s youth can be a factor in favor of commutation.

Your son was arrested for a major offense when he was young.  He had always been a good son who did well in school, but he got mixed up with a rough crowd and ended up with a felony conviction and prison sentence before he turned 19.  Can his age at the time of the offense help you win a commutation?

The answer in Illinois is yes.

Commuting a sentence means you are seeking your son’s (or daughter’s) early release from a sentence imposed by a judge.  In some cases, the sentence might be unduly harsh.  Even if it is not, when a defendant is convicted at a youthful age, there is always a possibility that an early release can be secured.  For one thing, scientific research now confirms that the human brain does not fully mature until the early twenties.  In addition, many young people are subjected to undue influences from social media and friends, as well as gangs that prey on teenagers, that they may later outgrow.

If you wish to commute your child’s sentence, you will need to file a petition with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, who will then hold a hearing, if requested, and make a recommendation to the governor.  A number of critical questions may pop up.  Is your son or daughter accepting responsibility for what happened? Has much of the sentence already been served? Is the victim–or his or her survivors–likely to object?  Is there a plan for what your child will do and where they will live if a commutation is granted?  An experienced attorney can help you answer those questions, prepare your petition to tell a compelling life story as well as represent your child at a hearing before the Board.

If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

Can my Arresting Officer Testify for me at my Pardon Hearing?

Many years ago, you couldn’t stay out of trouble. But as you grew into a responsible adult, the arresting officer came to appreciate your progress. Against all odds, you have actually become friendly. Now the officer is supporting your petition for a pardon.  Can he or she write a letter to the Illinois Prisoner Review Board on your behalf?  Or better yet, testify?

In Illinois, the answer is yes.  As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for police officers to maintain some kind of a relationship with the people they once arrested, particularly in smaller towns.  If the officer is willing, they can write a character reference letter on your behalf or testify at your pardon hearing.  It will not guarantee your success, but it is a great start.

In some cases, even judges have written in support of the defendant they previously convicted and sentenced.  If you think they are willing to help, you might even try approaching your sentencing judge.

If you have questions about Illinois pardons or other executive clemency, feel free to contact attorney Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.  An attorney can help you prepare your petition and present you and your witnesses at hearing in their most favorable light.  

Do I have to Disclose My Past Criminal Record after a Pardon?

After a long and complicated process, you have obtained a pardon for your past crimes and cleared your name. Will you have to reveal your prior convictions when applying for work?

For the most part, the answer is no.  A grant of a pardon or executive clemency is not easily given, and it is meant to give you a clean slate.  (Please note that if you do win a pardon, you will also want to apply for an expungement in the original county of arrest.) Even so, this is a thorny question.

Generally, once expunged, you do not have to reveal your past offences to most employers. But you may still need to do so for certain employment.  For one thing, local police agencies generally want to know everything about your past. Similarly, federal agencies tend to want full disclosure of any past problems.  This does not mean that they will rule you out as a potential employee, just that they want to know they can trust you.  Similar guidelines may apply in other areas.

Even if you are expunged, it is impossible to guarantee that your past offenses won’t still crop up on the internet.  News agencies may not be willing to remove your name from their past issues’ police blotters. 

Nonetheless, obtaining a pardon and expungement can be a great help in advancing your career.

 If you have questions about pardons or expungement, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.  As an attorney, I can help you prepare your petition for the pardon and present you and your witnesses in your most favorable light.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

CAN I GET A PARDON FOR MORE THAN ONE COUNTY?

You grew up in a rough neighborhood, but eventually, you broke free and made a good life for yourself. However, you still have those three criminal convictions from two different counties.  Can the governor pardon all of them?

The answer is yes.

The governor has the legal power to pardon any and all cases at his or her own discretion.  That means that even severe felonies such as murder or armed robbery can be wiped off an offender’s record.

Even so, bear in mind that the state’s attorney from the applicable county may, and often will, object to a pardon petition in a serious case.  The state will also contact the victim or their survivors, who may choose to appear and object at your hearing. However, even in these circumstances, your petition still has a chance. You will need to show a great deal of clear evidence that you have changed your life, you regret what happened, and  nothing of the sort is likely to happen again.

If your cases are in more than one county, you will need to send a copy of your petition to the state’s attorney and your sentencing judge (or the presiding judge) in each county.

If you wish to pursue a pardon, contact an experienced attorney to help with your petition. An attorney can help you present yourself in your most favorable light.  For example, a pardon petition is not the place to argue your innocence.  An attorney can help you avoid such common pitfalls that can harm your chance of success.

 If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email mailto:matt@mattkeenanlaw.com matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

CAN I GET A PARDON IN ILLINOIS IF MY FAMILY DOES NOT COOPERATE?  

In most cases, people seeking a governor’s pardon for crimes that took place many years ago can rely on help from family.  It may be their spouse, their siblings or even older children.  But what if you are estranged from most of your family? Do you really need family support to get a pardon?

In some cases, the answer may be no.  It could be that you have serious religious or political differences with family members. Or you have very few family members still alive.  You may be able to explain the lack of family support. While that lack could make the process more difficult, the truth is that you have no obligation to provide references from blood relatives.

If you have a social network and are involved in the community, you may well be able to secure a pardon by relying on letters from friends, co-workers or members of any organization where you volunteer.  The Illinois Prisoner Review Board will want to see clear indications that you have reformed and are leading a productive life. Other members of your social circle may help deliver that message.

If you have other questions about pardons or commutations for yourself or a loved one, please contact  Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

Can Witnesses Appear to Oppose My Pardon?

Perhaps you were involved in a robbery that turned violent when you were young.  Since then, you have changed your life for the better and are raising a family.  You may have even started a business or launched a career.  If you go forward in seeking a pardon, can witnesses from your past appear at your hearing to testify against you?

In Illinois, the answer is yes. If you file a petition for executive clemency, you are required to share a copy of your petition with the state’s attorney of any county where your crime(s) took place. A state’s attorney may choose to contact the victims or others affected by the original case. Sometimes the witness may be a relative of someone who died as a direct result of your actions.

If this happens, do not panic.  Even though you may not question a witness who opposes your pardon, your hearing takes place before the Prisoner Review Board. Board members will take all the facts into consideration.  If you have changed your life and made a positive contribution to society, the board may decide that you deserve that pardon despite the opposition.

You should also bear in mind that you will never score points with the board by criticizing people who oppose your petition.  Your reaction to what they say will be scrutinized and may even indicate whether you really have matured.  If you seem genuinely repentant, the board may consider that the most decisive factor.

An attorney can greatly assist you in preparing your petition as well as with your presentation at the hearing.

If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

MUST I APPEAR AT A HEARING TO RECEIVE A PARDON?

The answer is no.  But it may be in your best interests to do so.

When you file a petition for a pardon, you may request a hearing before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board at that time. Hearings are held four times a year in either Chicago or Springfield. The hearing gives you an opportunity to present witnesses on your behalf and show why you deserve a pardon.  A hearing also gives the Board an opportunity to put a face with a name and ask any questions they might have.

If you wish to apply for a pardon, consider hiring an attorney.  An attorney can help prepare your petition. You will need to include a personal history with your petition. An attorney can help tell your story in a compelling way as well as helping you to avoid common pitfalls. For example, it is extremely important to take responsibility for what happened in the past.  Some petitioners do not realize when they sound like they are blaming others.

An attorney can also help prepare you and your witnesses for hearing.  At hearing, you will need to come across as pleasant and sincere in your responses as possible. Losing your temper or rolling your eyes in dismay could backfire badly.  Some clients are unaware of how their facial expressions could be misinterpreted.

Before appearing at hearing, you will need to consider the following: Are there likely to be any witnesses appearing to contest your petition?  Do you clearly recall what happened?  Can you answer questions about the case without getting frustrated?  Are you able to accept responsibility for what happened even if you feel you were unfairly accused?  An attorney can help you deal with these issues.

If you have questions about executive clemency, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

CAN A PRISON SENTENCE BE COMMUTED BASED ON BAD HEALTH?

(Updated March 31, 2026: Illinois now allows a prisoner the option of appearing at a prehearing online prior to the hearing before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.)

Let’s say your husband is serving a lengthy prison sentence in Illinois.  Unfortunately, he is diabetic, among other health issues, and has had a series of ministrokes during his period of incarceration.  The doctor at his prison is worried about his survival.

Is there a chance of winning early release due to his health?

The answer is yes. 

To win early release, you or your loved one would have to petition the governor for commutation of your loved one’s sentence.  Bear in mind that a commutation is not a pardon.  Commutation means asking to cut short a prison sentence, not to clear your criminal record.

An attorney can help by preparing the petition and supporting documentation to show the facts of your loved  one’s situation in their best possible light.  The petition must be filed with the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.  It is possible, and generally desirable, to request a hearing.  While the prisoner is not allowed to attend, the hearing gives you and other supporters the opportunity to humanize your loved one and show why they deserve to be let out early.

If you are hoping to get a sentence commuted, several questions need to be considered:  Is the health problem one that could lead to death or permanent disability?  Is the Illinois Department of Corrections in a strong position to treat it?  If your loved one is released, will there be sufficient funds and family support to assist him or her?  Bear in mind that the willingness of the governor to act may be directly related to the severity of the original crime. As such, a convicted burglar with lung cancer may be more likely to win release than a convicted murderer. 

If you have questions about executive clemency, contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

CAN I REAPPLY FOR A PARDON AFTER A DENIAL?

You got in trouble with the law when you were young, and you went to prison. Since your release, you got married, started raising a family and have been working hard.  After many years, you thought you’d earned a pardon, but when you applied, the governor refused.  Can you try again?

In Illinois, the answer is yes.  You may reapply one year after the date of your denial.  While it may appear that the first bid for a pardon is the most likely to succeed, that is not necessarily the case.  A denial the first time around does not mean an automatic no the second time. 

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board reviews petitions for pardons and makes a recommendation to the governor.  The governor will then review the case before deciding.  In many cases, the governor will follow the original recommendation. That said, the governor retains the right to refuse executive clemency for any reason that might seem appropriate. The Board and Governor’s reasons for granting or denying a pardon are kept confidential, so you may never know the exact basis for any decision.

Still, many factors may be at work. Did you apply too soon after the offense the first time? Did you have later arrests that could raise concerns?  Did you submit character reference letters?  If so, were they too general and uninspiring?  Did you adequately show how your life had turned around or why you need this pardon?  

If you wish to petition for executive clemency, an experienced pardon attorney can be a great help.  An attorney can help you prepare your petition including your personal statement, correcting weaknesses in your presentation as well as preparing you and your witnesses for hearing before the Board.  If you have questions about executive clemency, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

Why You Need a Plan to Win a Commutation

(Updated March 31, 2026: Illinois now allows a prisoner the option of appearing at a prehearing online prior to the hearing before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.)

 It hurts to have a loved one in prison.  After many years of serving a sentence, you may be losing hope of ever seeing them again on the outside.  But many inmates do have a good chance of winning an eventual release through commuting a sentence.  The most critical ingredient in doing so: you need to have a clear plan.

To start, you will have to file a petition for executive clemency with the governor. The Illinois Prison Board of Review reviews the petition before making a recommendation to the governor.  You may choose to request a hearing before the Board to better present your loved one’s case although he or she will not be allowed to attend.  The governor then reaches a decision on the petition. 

For the best chance of success, especially for violent or repeat offenders, it is absolutely essential to show a plan for release. Will the former inmate live with you? If not, where?  Does he or she have friends who will help?  Did your loved one prepare for a career while in custody?  Has a job been lined up? Were there indications of psychological problems? If so,  have changes taken place? What are the plans for treatment after release?

All governors have heard anecdotes about pardoned individuals who go on to commit terrible crimes. Such offenders have even been used to defeat a presidential campaign.  Any governor will need a lot of reassurance before they will stick their neck out to release your inmate.  An attorney can help prepare the clemency petition to present your loved one’s situation in its most compelling light. 

If  you have questions about executive clemency, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.