IMPORTANT WISCONSIN PARDON NEWS NOVEMBER 1, 2021:
1. If you thought you could put off applying for a Wisconsin pardon for a few years or even months, then this message is for you. In 2019, Governor Evers appointed a Pardon Advisory Board, and since then he has granted hundreds of pardons. However, Governor Walker granted no pardons for the eight years before Evers was elected. With Governor Evers running for re-election in November 2022, there is a risk that if he loses the next governor might not continue to grant pardons. If you have put off applying for a pardon, do not wait any longer. Call our office as soon as possible, at 608-250-9053 to speak with us about how we can help you apply for a pardon.
2. In September 2021, Governor Evers changed the eligibility criteria for Wisconsin pardons. Before, an applicant was ineligible to even apply for a pardon if he/she was convicted of any crime after being discharged from probation or parole. That is no longer the case. Contact us today if you think you might be eligible under the Governor’s new rules.
3. Governor Evers recently announced that in some cases a pardon hearing will no longer be necessary in order to receive a pardon. For older, nonviolent felony convictions, the Chair of the Pardon Board may recommend an applicant for a pardon without holding a hearing.
Reuter, Whitish, & Evans attorneys have been representing people to help them obtain pardons since the Pardon Board was re-formed in 2019. Our attorneys represented Marine Eric Pizer, who was one of the first four people in the State of Wisconsin to receive a pardon after nine years in which pardons were not being granted. Read about our work on behalf of Eric, as featured in the New York Times.
Our attorneys not only have experience working on pardons, but we also have experience prosecuting and defending criminal cases in court. In a pardon application, nothing is guaranteed. Our perspective will help to give you the best possible chance of receiving a pardon. If you think you might need help, call our office at 608-250-9053 and ask to speak to an attorney.
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How Can We Help You to Get a Wisconsin Pardon?
Here are some of the services we offer:
- Determining whether you are eligible for a pardon.
- Gathering records in support of your Pardon Application.
- Providing guidance on how to get excellent reference letters for your Pardon Application.
- Identifying all aspects of your life that make you deserving of a pardon and presenting them to the Pardon Board in your Pardon Application.
- Identifying the reason that you need a pardon and documenting it for the Pardon Board in your Pardon Application.
- Drafting answers to the questions on the Pardon Application.
- Attempting to arrange for a restorative justice meeting between you and the victim of your criminal offense.
- Preparing you for a pardon hearing before the Pardon Board.
- Appearing with you at a pardon hearing before the Pardon Board.
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Who is Eligible for a Wisconsin Pardon?
To be considered for a pardon you must meet four eligibility criteria:
1. You must have been convicted of a felony.
2. You must have completed your sentence at least five years ago.
3. You cannot have a pending criminal charge in any jurisdiction.
4. You cannot currently be required to register as a sex offender.The Governor retains the absolute power to pardon anybody for any crime other than treason. The Wisconsin gubernatorial pardon power comes from Article V, Section 6 of the Wisconsin Constitution. As a matter of practice, Governor Evers does not make exceptions to these criteria.
Because all applicants to the Pardon Advisory Board are required to have completed their sentence for at least five years, the Governor currently is not considering any applications for a sentence commutation. A sentence commutation is a form of clemency (as is a pardon) in which the Governor releases a person from jail, prison, probation, or parole before they have finished serving their sentence.
If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria for a pardon, call 608-250-9053. We will attempt to answer your question in a free initial consultation.
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Where can I learn more about your work on Wisconsin pardons?
We have assisted people seeking pardons for nearly a decade and represented one of the first four people in the State of Wisconsin to receive a pardon after nine years of no pardons. Read about our work on behalf of Marine Eric Pizer, as featured in the New York Times:
Not the Official Kind, but Still a Wisconsin Pardon
His Victim Forgave Him Years Ago. Now the State Has, Too
We have also published our own articles about how the pardon process works in Wisconsin and the importance of pardons:
How Pardons Work in Wisconsin and Why they Matter
The Importance — to Citizens and Democracy — of Granting Worthy Pardons
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What Should I do Next?
The process of applying for a pardon can feel daunting. But it can also be extremely rewarding. Receiving a pardon can help change your life and the lives of your friends, family, and community. If you would like assistance or advice on how to give yourself the best possible chance of receiving a pardon, call us at 608-250-9053.