First, determine if your conviction was for a crime of violence as defined in Minn. Stat. 624.712, subd. 5. Second, determine your date of discharge (if multiple convictions, use your most recent date of discharge).
If you determine you were ever convicted of a crime of violence, you will be eligible ten years after your most recent date of discharge. If you determine you were not convicted of a crime of violence, you will be eligible five years after your most recent date of discharge. In either case, NO new convictions can occur or your waiting period will start over.
A new violation will start the waiting period over, whether the waiting period was initially met or not. “Violation” includes any misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony. You must be violation-free for the five or ten years immediately preceding your appearance before the Board.
It may. A thorough investigation is conducted by Board of Pardons staff prior to the hearing and all gathered materials are given to the board members for review, including all court records and any other records that provide added information regarding other past criminal or non-law abiding behavior, including driving records, victim statements, input from judges and county attorneys, and all information that you submit as part of your application. The board considers many factors when deciding whether or not to grant a pardon extraordinary and an applicant’s driving record is a part of the information provided to them.
No, all applicants are able to complete the pardon extraordinary process without counsel. However, if you would like to hire an attorney to assist you in the process you may do so.
You will be required to submit the application paperwork and three letters of recommendation. The three letters of recommendation should be from people you have known for several years and must attest to your good character and reputation.
You can obtain a copy of your criminal history from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the district courts. You do not need to submit a copy of your criminal record; however, you are responsible for including your full criminal history in your application. Failing to include all criminal convictions in your application may appear to the board as an attempt to conceal your criminal history. This includes any convictions in other states or in federal court.