Yes. On your application you will be required to disclose all convictions.

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.

There is no fee to file a pardon application, but there is a nominal fee to obtain your record from the BCA. You must appear at the board meeting and pay any costs associated with travelling to appear at the meeting.

Yes, however, the board has not recently granted pardons for DWI convictions. There are no legal requirements that bar an applicant from requesting a pardon for a DWI, but the likelihood of being granted a pardon for a DWI conviction is limited.

Yes, however, the board rarely grants pardons where firearms were present or a victim was physically injured. Crimes such as murder and those involving criminal sexual conduct are highly unlikely to be pardoned.

Yes. The board will not consider a pardon extraordinary application without the opportunity to question the applicant in person. Board meeting dates are updated on our website under the “Current Agenda” tab.

If your petition is granted, Board of Pardons staff will then draft and circulate your certificate to each board member for signature, then send a copy of the signed certificate and a court order to the county court where you were convicted. Once the court order is signed, it is sent to all law enforcement agencies involved in your conviction and to the BCA. The BCA will then alter your criminal history to reflect your pardon. Board of Pardons staff will then send you a certified copy of your certificate. This entire process following the hearing often takes several months.

No, unless you are in a court proceeding or are applying to be licensed as a peace officer. Because a pardon extraordinary results in the setting aside of your conviction, the public criminal record, which lists criminal convictions, should be cleared. The private record, which lists arrests and the final disposition, will show that a pardon extraordinary was granted. If you sign an agreement allowing a company or others to review your private record, they will see that a pardon was granted for your conviction.

An expungement is a completely different process than a pardon extraordinary. An expungement will only seal your court records, but does not affect your criminal history recorded by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. If you are granted a pardon extraordinary you will no longer be required to disclose your conviction in most situations. And your criminal history will indicate that you have been granted a pardon for the conviction.

The legal effect of a pardon extraordinary is to vacate the conviction. Gun control laws are complex and vary from state to state and in federal law. The Minnesota Board of Pardons does not have jurisdiction over gun rights. You should contact local law enforcement or conservation authorities for information.