Under the Michigan Constitution, the governor has the power to issue commutations and pardons, both forms of what’s called executive clemency.

A commutation is when the governor replaces the prisoner’s original sentence with a less severe one. Most commutations involve a life sentence being commuted to a term of years, making the prisoner eligible for release.

 A pardon, on the other hand, erases a criminal conviction and all the consequences that come with it. Most pardons are given to people who are long done serving their sentences and who are not otherwise eligible to have their convictions expunged.

In Michigan, there’s an application process for commutations and pardons. The applications are vetted by the Parole Board, which then makes a recommendation to the governor on whether to grant or deny the application. Commutations and pardons are rare, but often they represent a last resort for many clients.

Click here to learn more about commutation petitions.

Click here to learn more about pardon petitions.

In 2018, I was successful in helping a client obtain a commutation after serving nearly 45 years in prison. Contact me today if you’re interested in pursuing a commutation or pardon petition.