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There is one week left for people to apply for a pardon from Gov. Tony Evers.

Any person wishing to be considered for a pardon before the end of the year must submit their application by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5.

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A pardon is an official act of forgiveness that restores certain rights lost if someone is convicted of a felony, including the right to serve on a jury, hold public office and hold certain professional licenses. 

Pardons are different from an expungement and a commutation. 

An expungement seals a conviction from public court records, while a commutation shortens a sentence a person is currently serving.

Up to the governor

Evers reinstated Wisconsin’s pardon process in 2019, pardoning 2,237 people so far, according to his statement announcing the pardon deadline. 

Evers said reinstating pardons was “one of the most important undertakings” of his administration and that he hopes “to see this good work continue in earnest in the years ahead.”

It will be up to whichever candidate is elected this fall to be governor after Evers to decide whether to also offer pardons. 

Tom Tiffany, who represents northern Wisconsin’s District 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives and is the Republican candidate for governor, told NNS he would consider pardons on a case-by-case basis.

“But I will not grant them at the rate we are seeing today, nor will I pardon those convicted of heinous violent crimes,” he said.

David Crowley, Milwaukee County’s county executive and the Democratic candidate for governor, did not immediately respond to a comment from NNS. 

He issued a statement earlier this year in response to questions from Wisconsin Watch about whether he supported the commutation process.

“I believe clemency is an important tool to correct past wrongs, especially in cases where sentences were excessive, laws have changed, or individuals have demonstrated real rehabilitation,” Crowley stated. “At the same time, it must be handled with care, consistency, and respect for victims and communities.”

Pardons are a form of clemency.

The process

To qualify for a pardon, a person must: be seeking a pardon for a felony conviction in Wisconsin; have completed their entire sentence at least five years ago, including confinement and supervised release; have no pending criminal cases or charges in any jurisdiction. 

People currently required to register as a sex offender are not eligible for pardons. 

The application can be found online, along with instructions and answers to frequently asked questions.

Getting help

NNS previously spoke with Doyle Sprewer, who runs regular workshops to help people understand the pardon application process.

He advises people to be honest, be patient and not be discouraged.  

Here are more detailed tips from Sprewer about the process. 

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Devin Blake began his career as a journalist at Patch, covering the Southern California communities he grew up in, with a particular focus on local businesses, unemployment, and organizations addressing unmet community needs. As he witnessed the growing homelessness crisis, he transitioned into working as a resource and information coordinator, supporting community groups and nonprofits serving unhoused populations, including the elderly, developmentally disabled, and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. In addition to his community-focused work, Blake has contributed to publications such as New York Magazine, The Onion, and McSweeney’s. He enjoys spending time with his wife and navigating the daily adventures of parenting his young son.