How to Apply for a Pardon in Maryland
If you have been convicted of a crime in Maryland, it is only natural to want your record cleared. The governor of Maryland is the only one authorized to grant a pardon. The Maryland Parole Commission investigates when an application for a pardon is received. A report is submitted to the governor who then reviews the case and either grants or denies the request. Taken into consideration are the details of the crime, the effect on victims, whether the offender has been rehabilitated, the amount of time served, evidence of anti-social behavior and the age and health of the offender. Applications for Maryland pardons are not available online, so you must write to the Maryland Parole Commission to request one.
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Instructions
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Remain crime-free for the required period. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you must be out of prison or released from your probationary status and keep your record clean for five years before applying for a pardon in Maryland. Violent offenders and felons with controlled substance charges have a 20-year crime-free period they must abide by before applying. Other felons must wait 10 years. The Parole Commission does, however, have the option of considering cases after 15 years for violent and controlled substance felons and hearing general felony cases after seven years with a clean record. If you were charged with a crime but never convicted, there is no waiting period to apply.
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Request a pardon application. Send a letter requesting a pardon application to the Maryland Parole Commission, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 307, Baltimore, MD 21215-2343.
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Complete and submit the pardon application. Answer all questions truthfully. Provide proof that you have served your sentence, successfully completed your probation or parole and remained crime-free since your conviction for the required amount of time according to Maryland law. Include character references and letters from family, friends and community members who support your pardon request.
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Tips & Warnings
For additional information, call the Maryland pardon application coordinator at 410-585-3200 or 877-241-5428.
