Governor Newsom Grants Executive Clemency

Published: Nov 15, 2019
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has granted four pardons.

The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to grant clemency, including in the form of a pardon. A clemency grant recognizes a person’s subsequent efforts in self-development. A clemency grant does not forgive or minimize the harm caused by the crime.

A pardon may remove counterproductive barriers to employment and public service, restore civic rights and responsibilities, and prevent unjust collateral consequences of conviction, such as deportation and permanent family separation. A pardon does not expunge or erase a conviction.

The Governor regards clemency as an important part of the criminal justice system that can incentivize accountability and rehabilitation, increase public safety by removing counterproductive barriers to successful reentry, and correct unjust results in the legal system.

The Governor weighs numerous factors in his review of clemency applications, including an applicant’s self-development and conduct since the offense, whether the grant is consistent with public safety and in the interest of justice, and the impact of a grant on the community.

Copies of the gubernatorial clemency certificates granted today can be found here.

Additional information on executive clemency can be found here.

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