Applying for a pardon requires filing an application with the Tennessee Board of Parole, which is responsible for deciding which petitions are eligible for presentation to the Governor. This organization also provides recommendations to the Governor about whether to accept or reject particular petitions. Assistance from an experienced pardon lawyer in Chattanooga can be especially crucial during this step, as seasoned legal counsel could provide valuable guidance as to the details the Board of Parole looks for in an application and what additional actions may be required.
If the Governor elects to pardon someone, that person would immediately regain any civil rights that their conviction deprived them of, including the rights to vote, serve on a jury, and hold public office. In addition, pardons for non-violent offenses allow for the restoration of the convicted party’s right to own firearms, and non-violent offenders could potentially be granted the complete expungement of the conviction from their criminal record.