How to Write a Pardon Letter
A pardon is essentially a "get out of jail free" card that forgives both the crime you committed and the penalty you were given for it. A pardon is usually sought after all appeals are denied, or fail to overturn the conviction, and there are no other avenues to turn to. To apply for a pardon, the process usually begins by writing a pardon letter - that is, the initial request from the offender or someone close to them to the government that convicted him or her of the crime in the first place. While pardons are rarely granted, there is no harm in trying, and there is a small chance you will be successful. Here's how to write a pardon letter:
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Get in touch with the attorney general or the governor's office in your state, or the Office of the Pardon Attorney for federal offenses. Ask for a written set of guidelines for requesting a pardon, making sure to specify the type of crime you committed and what jurisdiction you were convicted in - guidelines can vary for each individual's specific circumstances. While you could search online for guidelines, the information you find may be out of date, incorrect, or for the wrong jurisdiction. It is always best to contact the applicable office directly for the most up-to-date, accurate guidelines. Remember, federal offenses have different guidelines and are handled by the U.S. Government, so your state requirements for applying for a pardon wouldn't be applicable.
-
2
Once you have the guidelines in hand, check to make sure you meet the requirements for requesting a pardon before you write your pardon letter. Again, there are different requirements that vary for each crime and each jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions may require you wait a period of 2, 5, or 10 years before you can apply for a pardon, while other jurisdictions have no waiting period at all. Failing to meet the requirements and applying for a pardon anyway can prevent you from being able to apply again for 5 years in some jurisdictions, so be sure you follow the guidelines verbatim.
-
-
3
Collect and organize any relevant documents to include with your pardon letter. It is a good idea to do this before you begin to write your pardon letter, so you can be sure the facts, dates, and other information in your request are completely accurate. While the documents you need to provide will vary - it should be listed in the guidelines you requested - at the very least, you will need a copy of your arrest record, the indictment, conviction and sentencing papers. If you do not already have copies of these on hand, you can contact the court where you were tried and sentenced for official copies.
-
4
Start writing your pardon letter. Be sure to follow the format in the guidelines. If there are no formatting requirements, then stick to a business letter format. In your letter, you explain the charges that you are asking to be dropped, the sentencing that you would like pardoned, and why you feel you should be pardoned. Be completely honest in your request - any facts you list can and will be checked, and if anything is falsified or excluded, your request will be denied immediately. Also include any retribution you have paid, rehabilitation you have completed, community service you have performed, and any employment or education completed during your term. Remember, you are not only asking for your sentence to end, but to be cleared of the guilty conviction you received. Make sure you explain any remorse you have for your actions, and clearly outline how you are working to correct the mistakes you have made.
-
5
Request letters of recommendation from anyone who will offer you one. Family members and friends are a good place to start, but recommendation letters from the warden, employers, the victim(s) and their family members, and even other inmates will have a much bigger impact on your chances at successfully securing a pardon hearing.
-
6
End your pardon letter with a written request for a pardon hearing. Without an actual request, your letter will probably not secure you a hearing - and without a pardon hearing, you probably won't be pardoned. The pardon hearing is the place where you can present all of your documentation and evidence as to why you should be pardoned, and gives you a chance to say how you feel, in your own words, to those who will be making the final decision.
-
7
Remember, your letter is the first step to your request for a pardon. If you do not take the time to carefully and thoroughly explain your position in an intelligent and sensible manner, you will likely never see your chance for a hearing. Follow the guidelines carefully, and have family members and friends read and re-read your request for feedback. If you spend weeks, or even months, perfecting your pardon letter, you'll have a much better shot at succeeding than if you rush the process. Above all, remember that your chances of successfully securing a pardon are slim, so you'll need to really catch the attention of those considering your position, and be genuinely remorseful for the crime you have committed - and make sure this is all apparent in your letter.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Take your time with this process. A pardon hearing is likely your last chance to get out of prison, and the only way to get a hearing is by requesting one. While you may be able to request a new pardon hearing every 5 years, it's better to take your time and get it right the first time.
Make sure you meet all of the requirements before you begin writing a pardon letter. In many jurisdictions, your letter will be ignored but will still count as a request for a pardon, which means you'll have to wait another 5 years to try again, just to have your request read.
