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Commutations of sentence and pardons
- The California Constitution gives the Governor the authority to grant clemency, which includes commutations of sentence and pardons. Clemency is an important part of the criminal justice system that can: incentivize accountability and rehabilitation, increase the safety of the people working and serving sentences in our jails and prisons,
www.gov.ca.gov/clemency/
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What is clemency?
Clemency is the act of reducing a defendant’s sentence or granting a pardon. The Governor has the authority to grant clemency to those in California prisons. This page tells you how to apply for clemency, see annual reports on clemency, or give feedback on a case under consideration.
The California Anti-Death Penalty Coalition is a diverse coalition made up of faith, racial justice, civic, legal, and labor organizations, as well as murder victims’ family members, and families impacted by the death penalty.
In California, a commutation is a type of executive clemency that reduces or eliminates a prisoner’s sentence. Inmates serving a jail or prison sentence can petition the California governor to commute their sentence. A governor’s commutation can also make a prisoner immediately eligible for parole.
- A commutation is a reduction or elimination of a prisoner's sentence. It does not reverse a finding of guilt or restore civil rights lost as the re...
- Anyone convicted of a California criminal offense can have a sentence commuted by the governor (except people who were impeached). Even people sent...
- There are no set factors required for commuting a sentence in California. The California constitution confers absolute authority on the governor to...
- To obtain a commutation, an applicant must: Notify the district attorney of the county or counties where the applicant was convicted; and Complete...
- The governor is not required to grant, or even to consider, an application for a commuted sentence. If the governor decides to act, he or she will...
- California law allows the Parole Board to consider whether an inmate was subject to “intimate partner battering and its effects.” These are defined...
- There is no fee to apply for commutation of a sentence in California. There may be attorney's fees if the applicant hires a lawyer to assist with g...
- The commutation of a sentence is a rare form of clemency. It is usually granted only where it is apparent that someone was guilty of a crime, but t...
- As there is no requirement that a governor even considers an application for clemency, it is impossible to state how long the process will take.
- Once an application for commutation is granted, the prison and/or parole board, as applicable, will begin implementing the new sentence. The applic...
Oct 18, 2019 · In California, the governor has the power to grant two types of clemency: commutations and pardons. What Is a Commutation? When the governor grants a commutation, they effectively decrease the amount of time a person must remain in prison.
Aug 9, 2023 · Clemency, a beacon of compassion within the realm of justice, holds the power to transform lives and rectify past wrongs. As an embodiment of mercy, clemency stands as a testament to society’s ability to extend forgiveness, offer second chances, and pave the way for rehabilitation.
A pardon in California is a form of post-conviction relief granted by the governor if you were convicted of a crime but then demonstrated a high level of rehabilitation. Obtaining a pardon relieves you of some, but not all, of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction. Reasons to apply for a California governor’s pardon
If you were convicted of a crime in California, you may apply for a pardon. A pardon ends punishment and restores some rights if you have completed a sentence in prison. This page tells how to apply for a pardon, and how the Governor’s Office reviews applications.
