Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and Lt. John Fetterman recently issued their final report as to the results of a statewide tour on what Pennsylvania residents thought of legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana and ways Pennsylvania could reform existing marijuana laws. The overwhelming majority of Pennsylvania residents are in favor of the legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana and for establishing opportunities to pardon individuals convicted for nonviolent low level marijuana crimes.
As a result, Lt. Governor Fetterman has publicly encouraged Pennsylvanians to apply for marijuana-related pardons. He has stated, “[a]anyone with a marijuana-related, nonviolent possession or paraphernalia charge is encouraged to apply for a pardon, for free, and have his or her application expedited.” On 26 September 2019, the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons announced that it is expediting the application process for those individuals seeking to be pardoned for marijuana-related charges.
If you are granted a pardon, you will be relieved of the legal disabilities related to that conviction such as the right to vote (only incarcerated felons suffer this disability in Pennsylvania, this varies by state), the right to be a juror, the right to hold a public office, the right to bear arms, the opportunity to serve in the military, the right to obtain/carry a firearm, the right to travel internationally.
It is important to know, however, that when you are granted a pardon, your criminal record is not automatically cleared. You still need to file a Petition for Expungement in the court where the conviction occurred.
It is also important to know about the new Pennsylvania Clean Slate legislation. Under this law, you may be eligible to petition the court to have your criminal record sealed if you have been free from conviction for 10 years for an offense that resulted in a year or more in prison and have paid all court-ordered fines.
For information and a consultation as to how we can help with the pardon or expungement process,
call the attorneys of Supinka & Supinka PC 724- 349-6768.