Wilmington Pardon & Commutation Lawyer

Eliminating The Negative Effects Of Your Conviction

I — Wilmington pardon & commutation lawyer Michael Modica — have helped many people throughout the state achieve pardons and commutations for their criminal convictions.

In Delaware, the Board of Pardons and the Governor determine when to issue pardons and commutations to citizens convicted of crimes.

A pardon is an expression of clemency which blunts the impact of a conviction. It can lead to the expungement of a misdemeanor conviction, although a felony conviction can never be expunged. It can result in the restoration of rights and privileges, such as the right to vote and possess a deadly weapon. For sex offenders, a pardon can relieve the client of the duty to register as a sex offender.

A commutation is a reduction of an inmate’s jail sentence.

The process for a pardon and commutation are similar. Both start with the filing of a Petition and lead to a hearing before the Board of Pardons. The Board of Pardons consists of the Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and Chancellor from Chancery Court.

Navigating The Pardon And Commutation Process

Based in Wilmington, I — Michael W. Modica, Attorney at Law — help people throughout the State receive pardons for their convictions and commutations to shorten their jail sentences. The pardon process can be long and complex. For more than 40 years, I have helped clients navigate the entire pardon and commutation process from application to hearing.

When a client first meets with me, I evaluate his or her case to determine if there are grounds for a pardon or commutation. If so, I help my client complete an application that reflects his or her entire criminal history. Once my client’s application has been reviewed and accepted by the Board of Pardons, a hearing will be scheduled to discuss the merits of his or her application. The Board of Pardons also may require a psychiatric evaluation depending on the circumstances.

Because this hearing determines the outcome of your pardon or commutation application, it is important to have an experienced attorney representing your interests to speak on your behalf. If the Board of Pardons believes that you should be pardoned, the Board will provide its recommendation to the Governor. The Governor has the power to either follow this recommendation and issue a pardon, or deny the pardon altogether.

For help navigating the criminal pardon and commutation system, contact me —Wilmington pardon & commutation lawyer Michael Modica — today.