What is Clemency?
Clemency is any act of mercy or compassion shown toward someone who has committed a crime. The most common types of clemency in Minnesota are pardons and commutations. A pardon is for people whose sentences are complete and no longer active. A commutation is for people that are still serving part of their sentence.
How to Apply
To apply for a pardon or commutation, you must complete an application. Learn more about applying for a pardon or commutation.
Eligibility
For Pardons
People with adult criminal convictions from Minnesota state courts are eligible to apply for pardons five years after their sentence has been discharged or expired. Learn more about being eligible for pardons.
For Commutations
People with adult criminal convictions from Minnesota state courts are eligible to apply for commutations five years after they are convicted (pleaded guilty or were found guilty) or after they have served half of their sentence – whichever comes first. Learn more about being eligible for commutations.
Meeting Statutory Waiting Periods
There are two types of required waiting periods: a waiting period to apply for the first time after a conviction and a waiting period to reapply after you have previously applied for and been denied clemency by the Board of Pardons. Learn more about meeting statutory waiting periods.
What's New?
Second Quarter Board of Pardons Meeting - July 9, 2025
The second quarter Board of Pardons has been rescheduled to July 9, 2025, at the Minnesota Senate Building, 95 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55103. The Board will hear applications from the November 2024, February 2025, and March 2025 Clemency Review Commission hearings, as well as requests for waivers of the initial waiting period and permission to reapply early after denial.
The Legal Revolution and Legal Rights Center Hold Community Information Session - Pre-Meeting Preparation Event on July 8, 2025
The Legal Revolution and Legal Rights Center* are joining together to facilitate a free community information session for individuals who would like to learn about the Board of Pardons Hearing that will take place on July 9, 2025. The event is in person and online on Tuesday, July 8 from 5:30 pm – 7 pm. For more information, please visit their event website or download this flyer.
*Please note that this event is not hosted by the Board or Commission and therefore information shared during the meeting does not necessarily represent the views of the Commission or Board.
2025 Board of Pardons Quarterly Meetings
The Board of Pardons will meet on July 9, September 24, and December 17, to review and vote on the recommendations of the Clemency Review Commission. Applicants that have already received a hearing with the CRC will notified if they are required to appear before the Board of Pardons at an additional meeting.
Fall 2025 CRC Calendar
The CRC will meet from 8:30am-5pm on August 1, September 5, October 10, and November 7, 2025. The application hearings for those dates will be scheduled during the summer months. Applicants will be notified as soon as they have been placed on a schedule or provided an update once the schedule is full.
If you have questions about the status of your application, please contact our office at clemency.review.commission@state.mn.us. For more information, please visit the Meeting Materials page.
Stay Informed
Follow our website for updates, meeting schedules, and more details about the Commission’s work. We are committed to ensuring fairness, transparency, and justice in Minnesota’s clemency process.