Top 3 takeaways from the 1st Minnesota Pardon Board meeting under the new rules: Insights from a Pardon Attorney
Minnesota has completely revamped their pardon process in the last few years. The changes that were enacted in 2023, are just now coming to fruition as the process is being worked out. On December 20, 2024, the Minnesota Pardon Board had their 1st meeting after receiving recommendations from the new Clemency Review Commission. I was in attendance of this momentous meeting, where Governor Tim Walz promulgated the new path for pardons going forward. This blog will include the top 3 takeaways from the meeting:
1. The Minnesota Pardon Board agreed with the Clemency Review Commission on every case presented
The old process involved people petitioning for pardon to make their pitch for why they should receive a pardon directly to the Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Justice. But the new process involves a two step process where the person petitioning for pardon makes their case before the Clemency Review Commission first, and then there is a second hearing in front of the pardon board. It was unclear how the two entities would interact with each other. The first meeting demonstrated that they were working very much in concert with each other. Every single case that the Clemency Review Commission recommended for pardon, the Minnesota Pardon Board voted for pardon. And every single case the Clemency Review Commission recommended to not grant a pardon; the Minnesota Pardon Board voted against. This shows that the hearing in front of the Clemency Review Commission is vitally important because the Minnesota Pardon Board has followed their so frequently.
2. The Clemency Review Commission recommended a pardon to roughly 90% of applicants
The statistics on pardons granted are not publicly available at the time this blog is being published. But from attending the hearing I observed roughly 10% of eligible applicants be denied a pardon and 90% receive a pardon. Historically, Minnesota has granted roughly 40% of eligible applicants a pardon. It’s still early in the process to determine if success rate was abnormal at this hearing or if this is the new normal. But this is cause for optimism for people wanting to seek a pardon in the future.
3. The Minnesota Pardon Board wants go the word out to more Minnesotans that they can ask for a pardon
Governor Tim Walz commented multiple times throughout the hearing that he wants more Minnesotans to know about the pardon process. Minnesota has less people petitioning for pardon than a lot of other states. The people who know about the process of pardons usually only stumble upon it by happenstance. Both Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, echoed the sentiments of Governor Walz, communicating that there is more opportunity for justice the more people who know about it. At the time I am publishing this blog, a google news search show zero news articles about the Minnesota Pardon Board Meeting. This is surprising, given what a momentous event it was. If you are reading this article, you have inside knowledge that many people don’t know about for how to clear your criminal record. If you have friends or family with a criminal record they want cleared, be sure to share this information with them.
Conclusion
If you are seeking a pardon, you want an attorney who is knowledgeable, experienced, and well versed in the law on the law for pardons and expungement. There are many attorneys in the state of Minnesota who say they do pardons, but don’t practice in the area enough to know the intricacies of the law and how to utilize that to their client’s advantage. Contact Jack Rice Defense today for a free consultation. 651-447-7650
Peter Lindstrom
Peter is the head of the appellate and expungement departments at Jack Rice Defense. He has successfully expunged cases involving challenging issues with DWI, felony, and violence against family member cases. At the district court level, he has tried two felony jury trials to verdict, and successfully dismissed a felony gun case on 4th amendment grounds. Peter is particularly known for his intelligence, creativity, and legal acumen.
