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.)