Presidential Pardon Lawyers for Federal Convictions

A federal conviction may be part of your history, but it does not have to control the rest of your life.

Long after the sentence ends, a conviction can continue affecting professional licenses, federal contracting opportunities, public service, firearm rights, international travel, reputation, and the ability to move forward without being continually judged by a past mistake.

A presidential pardon offers a potential path toward relief. It is an official exercise of constitutional clemency that recognizes rehabilitation and can remove important legal disabilities resulting from a federal offense.

But earning serious consideration requires more than completing a government form.

A persuasive pardon petition must present the person you are today, address the offense with credibility, document years of responsible conduct, explain the continuing consequences of the conviction, and show why clemency would serve the public interest. Weak applications often recite accomplishments. Strong applications build a verifiable case for forgiveness.

National Security Law Firm represents clients nationwide in presidential pardon matters involving federal civilian convictions and military court-martial offenses. Our pardon practice is led by former United States Attorney Duane “DAK” Kees, who understands how federal decision-makers evaluate criminal conduct, responsibility, rehabilitation, character, and public safety.

If you are ready to learn whether your history supports a presidential pardon application, schedule a confidential consultation with our federal pardon lawyers or call (202) 600-4996.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm for a Presidential Pardon?

A pardon petition asks the federal government to look beyond a conviction and evaluate the applicant’s entire life. Your legal team should understand both sides of that evaluation.

DAK Kees served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas after presidential nomination and confirmation by the United States Senate. As the district’s chief federal law-enforcement officer, he supervised federal prosecutors, evaluated complex criminal matters, worked with federal investigative agencies, and participated in decisions involving accountability, prosecutorial judgment, and public safety.

He also served as an Army Judge Advocate, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and worked as both a military prosecutor and defense counsel. That experience is particularly valuable in pardon applications involving court-martial convictions, military service, federal employment, security clearances, and other government-facing consequences.

NSLF brings pardon clients:

Leadership by a former United States Attorney;
Experience evaluating federal offenses and post-conviction conduct;
An integrated federal firearms, military, security-clearance, federal-employment, white-collar, and record-correction practice;
Nationwide representation in federal matters;
Detailed development of rehabilitation and character evidence;
Strategic preparation of personal statements and character affidavits;
Careful treatment of unfavorable facts;
Written scopes of representation and transparent flat fees; and
Client service reflected in 4.9 stars across 298 Google reviews.

We do not rely on titles or generalized claims of “experience.” We build pardon applications around the evidentiary questions federal reviewers are likely to ask.

What Is a Presidential Pardon?

A presidential pardon is an exercise of the President’s constitutional clemency power.

Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution authorizes the President to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. This authority generally extends to:

Federal criminal offenses prosecuted in United States district courts;
Qualifying offenses prosecuted in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia;
Convictions entered by military courts-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice; and
Other offenses against the United States within the President’s constitutional authority.

A presidential pardon is an official act of forgiveness. It may remove legal disabilities associated with the pardoned offense, but it ordinarily does not erase the conviction, expunge the record, declare the applicant innocent, or refund restitution already paid.

The conviction and the pardon may both remain visible in criminal-history and public records.

What Is the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s Role?

The Office of the Pardon Attorney assists the President in exercising the constitutional clemency power.

Under the ordinary Department of Justice process:

The applicant prepares and submits a pardon petition.
The Office of the Pardon Attorney opens and reviews the matter.
DOJ may investigate the information provided.
The FBI may conduct a background investigation.
The prosecuting United States Attorney’s Office and sentencing judge may be asked for their views.
The Office of the Pardon Attorney develops a recommendation.
The President decides whether to grant or deny clemency.

The President is not legally bound by DOJ’s recommendation or ordinary application process. The constitutional pardon power remains with the President, who may grant clemency through or outside the customary DOJ review process.

For applicants using the ordinary process, however, the pardon petition should be prepared with the expectation that its claims may be investigated and compared against court, law-enforcement, financial, employment, and community records.

Who Is Eligible to Apply for a Presidential Pardon?

A person convicted of a federal offense may generally seek a presidential pardon after completing the sentence and satisfying the Department of Justice’s ordinary waiting-period requirement.

The DOJ process typically requires the applicant to wait at least five years after the later of:

Release from confinement; or
The date of sentencing, if no term of imprisonment was imposed.

The five-year period is a regulatory requirement governing pardon petitions submitted through DOJ. It is not a constitutional restriction on the President’s power.

DOJ may waive the waiting period in exceptional circumstances, but waivers should not be assumed. An applicant seeking one must explain why the ordinary period should not apply and why immediate consideration is warranted.

An eligible applicant should also ordinarily have:

Completed incarceration, probation, supervised release, and other components of the sentence;
Paid required fines, assessments, and restitution, or documented any unresolved circumstances;
Maintained a substantial period of responsible conduct;
Disclosed the complete criminal history;
Accepted responsibility in a manner consistent with the record;
Identified a meaningful reason for seeking clemency; and
Developed credible evidence of rehabilitation and community standing.

Technical eligibility only permits a person to apply. It does not establish that a pardon will be granted.

Can the President Pardon a State Conviction?

No. The President’s constitutional pardon authority applies to offenses against the United States, not state or local offenses.

A person convicted under state law generally must pursue relief from the authority designated by that state, which may be:

The governor;
A state pardon or parole board;
A clemency commission;
A court;
Another official or body authorized by state law.

A governor likewise cannot pardon a federal conviction.

People with both federal and state convictions may need separate forms of relief. Our guide to federal versus state firearm rights restoration explains why the jurisdiction of each conviction matters.

What Makes a Strong Presidential Pardon Candidate?

No formula guarantees clemency, and Presidents have broad discretion. Nevertheless, the Justice Manual’s pardon standards identify several central considerations.

A strong pardon candidate will often be able to demonstrate:

A substantial period of law-abiding conduct;
Stable employment or productive self-employment;
Financial responsibility;
Fulfillment of family obligations;
Community service or other meaningful contributions;
Honest acceptance of responsibility;
Compliance with every material requirement of the sentence;
A positive reputation supported by credible witnesses;
A specific and legitimate need for a pardon; and
A record showing that clemency would be consistent with the public interest.

The seriousness and age of the offense also matter. More serious or recent misconduct ordinarily requires more extensive evidence and a longer record of rehabilitation.

A petition should not pretend that difficult facts do not exist. It should address them directly and explain what changed.

What Evidence Supports a Presidential Pardon Petition?

A persuasive petition ordinarily combines legal analysis, historical records, a credible personal narrative, and independent evidence.

Depending on the case, supporting materials may include:

The indictment, information, or charging instrument;
Plea agreement and factual basis;
Judgment and sentencing records;
Presentence investigation materials when lawfully available;
Proof of sentence completion;
Documentation of payment of fines and restitution;
An updated FBI Identity History Summary;
State criminal-history reports;
Employment records;
Professional licenses and certifications;
Educational accomplishments;
Military-service records;
Awards and professional recognition;
Evidence of charitable or community work;
Treatment, counseling, or recovery records where relevant;
Evidence of family and caregiving responsibilities;
Documentation of specific hardships caused by the conviction;
A carefully prepared personal statement; and
Detailed character affidavits or letters.

More paper is not necessarily better. The strongest submission is organized around the facts that demonstrate rehabilitation, need, responsibility, and public benefit.

How Should the Applicant Address the Original Offense?

Credibility is essential.

A pardon petition is generally not the place to retry the criminal case, attack every participant, or minimize conduct established by the record. Even when important context exists, it must be presented carefully.

An effective discussion of the offense may include:

A clear description of what occurred;
Acceptance of responsibility appropriate to the facts;
Recognition of the harm caused;
The applicant’s age and circumstances at the time;
Any relevant coercion, addiction, trauma, immaturity, or external influence;
Lessons learned;
Steps taken to repair the harm;
Evidence that the conduct has not been repeated; and
The concrete changes that distinguish the applicant’s present life from the period surrounding the offense.

The objective is not to manufacture remorse. It is to present an honest and supportable explanation that demonstrates insight and growth.

How Important Are Character References?

Character references can be powerful when they are specific, credible, and based on substantial personal knowledge.

DOJ’s ordinary pardon materials call for three character affidavits. References should generally be people who know the applicant well and can discuss present character, reputation, responsibility, and rehabilitation.

Effective references may include:

Employers and supervisors;
Business partners;
Clergy members;
Educators;
Military leaders;
Community leaders;
Long-term colleagues;
Mentors;
Clients or customers, when appropriate; and
Others who have personally observed the applicant’s conduct.

A reference should do more than say the applicant is a “good person.” It should provide concrete examples of integrity, reliability, service, accountability, and the changes observed since the conviction.

NSLF helps clients identify suitable references, prepare them for the seriousness of the submission, and develop affidavits that reflect each person’s authentic knowledge.

Why Does the Applicant Need a Pardon?

DOJ considers the applicant’s specific need for relief. A generalized desire to “clear my name” may be emotionally understandable, but a strong petition should explain the practical consequences that remain.

A pardon may be sought to address:

Professional licensing barriers;
Federal contracting restrictions;
Employment limitations;
Ineligibility for particular public positions;
Restrictions affecting business ownership or participation;
Federal firearm disabilities;
Jury-service or civic consequences;
International travel complications;
Reputational harm;
Military-related consequences;
Limitations on volunteering or community leadership; or
A deeply personal desire for official recognition of rehabilitation.

The petition should connect the requested pardon to identifiable legal, professional, civic, or personal consequences.

What Are the Potential Benefits of a Presidential Pardon?

A presidential pardon can provide official federal recognition that the applicant has demonstrated rehabilitation and is being forgiven for the pardoned offense.

Depending on the conviction and applicable law, potential benefits may include:

Removal of certain federal legal disabilities;
Restoration of federal firearm rights arising solely from the pardoned conviction;
Improved prospects for professional licensing;
Improved eligibility for certain government opportunities;
A stronger position in employment and contracting decisions;
Mitigation in some security-clearance or suitability evaluations;
Support for related military-record proceedings;
Reduction of the stigma associated with a federal conviction; and
Formal recognition of the applicant’s post-conviction life and contributions.

A pardon does not compel a private employer, licensing board, foreign government, security-clearance adjudicator, or other decision-maker to disregard the conviction. Each authority may apply its own governing rules.

Can a Presidential Pardon Restore Voting, Jury-Service, or Public-Office Rights?

Possibly, but the answer depends heavily on the right involved and the law of the relevant state.

Although a presidential pardon may remove certain federal disabilities resulting from a federal conviction, voting eligibility, jury service, and qualification for state or local public office are often governed by state law. Some rights may already have been restored automatically upon completion of the sentence, while others may require a pardon, separate restoration procedure, or additional waiting period.

Applicants should not assume that a presidential pardon produces the same civil-rights consequences in every jurisdiction. NSLF can identify the specific disability at issue and determine whether a federal pardon would provide the desired relief.

Does a Presidential Pardon Restore Gun Rights?

A full presidential pardon can remove the federal firearm disability resulting from the pardoned federal conviction.

The Department of Justice’s federal firearm rights restoration guidance explains that a person whose only prohibiting conviction was a pardoned federal offense generally does not need separate relief under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c).

However, a pardon does not remove an independent prohibition arising from:

An unpardoned federal conviction;
A state conviction;
A qualifying domestic-violence protection order;
A qualifying mental-health adjudication or commitment;
Current unlawful drug use;
A dishonorable discharge not resolved by the pardon;
A disqualifying immigration status; or
Another separate basis under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).

State or tribal firearm restrictions may also remain.

Our separate guide explains in detail when a pardon may restore gun rights.

How Often Are Presidential Pardons Granted?

Pardon outcomes vary substantially from one presidential administration to another. The number of petitions received, granted, denied, administratively closed, or left pending has changed dramatically over time.

For example, DOJ reports that 1,666 pardon applications were submitted through the Office of the Pardon Attorney during the Biden administration. Of the pardon applications acted upon through that process, 66 were granted, 3,500 were denied, 318 were administratively closed, and others remained pending or continued into the next administration. These figures do not include every person who received clemency through a categorical proclamation or outside the ordinary DOJ application process.

Historical statistics illustrate the discretionary and administration-dependent nature of clemency; they do not establish the likelihood of success in any individual case. Applicants should evaluate the strength of their own rehabilitation, need for relief, offense history, and supporting evidence rather than rely on a generalized “approval rate.”

Current and historical data are available through DOJ’s clemency statistics and past clemency actions and statistics.

Is a Pardon the Only Way to Restore Federal Firearm Rights?

No.

That statement was accurate during the decades when Congress prevented ATF from processing individual § 925(c) applications, but it is no longer accurate.

DOJ has now established a formal process through which eligible individuals may seek federal firearm rights restoration under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c).

A pardon and § 925(c) relief are different:

A pardon is an exercise of constitutional clemency that may address multiple consequences of a federal conviction.
Section 925(c) is a statutory process specifically directed at a federal firearm disability.
A pardon does not erase the conviction.
Section 925(c) does not forgive or expunge the conviction.
Both remedies require separate analysis of state firearm restrictions and other prohibitors.

The correct option depends on the source of the prohibition and the breadth of relief the client seeks.

Does a Presidential Pardon Expunge the Conviction?

No. A presidential pardon ordinarily does not expunge, seal, or erase the conviction.

The conviction may continue to appear in:

Federal court records;
FBI criminal-history records;
Employment background checks;
Licensing investigations;
Security-clearance proceedings;
Public databases; and
Other government records.

The pardon can be presented alongside the conviction as official evidence of clemency. Applicants may still be required to disclose the conviction when a question asks for it.

Federal expungement is extremely limited. Anyone seeking both a pardon and record-related relief should receive a separate analysis of what relief is legally available.

Can a Pardon Help With Employment or Professional Licensing?

Potentially.

A pardon may strengthen an applicant’s position by providing official recognition of rehabilitation and removing certain legal disabilities. It can be relevant to:

Professional licenses;
Government contracts;
Fiduciary or bonded positions;
Federal employment;
Public service;
Regulated industries; and
Roles involving substantial trust or responsibility.

A pardon does not guarantee a license, job, contract, or appointment. The relevant employer, agency, or licensing board may still consider the underlying conduct under its own rules.

The best petition identifies the specific barrier and explains how a pardon would permit the applicant to contribute professionally or publicly.

Can a Pardon Help With a Security Clearance?

A pardon can be relevant, but it does not guarantee security-clearance eligibility.

Security-clearance adjudications examine the underlying conduct, recency, rehabilitation, candor, vulnerability to coercion, judgment, and other national-security considerations. A pardon does not prevent adjudicators from considering the conduct itself.

However, the pardon and the evidence supporting it may serve as important mitigation. Applicants should continue disclosing the conviction whenever required and should not assume that clemency eliminates security-clearance reporting obligations.

Because NSLF maintains an established national security-clearance law practice, we can evaluate how a pardon strategy may interact with an existing or anticipated clearance matter.

Can a Presidential Pardon Resolve Immigration Consequences?

Sometimes, but not automatically.

Federal immigration law expressly recognizes pardons in connection with certain conviction-based grounds of removability. Other immigration consequences may remain despite a pardon, particularly where the relevant ground is based on conduct, controlled-substance activity, security concerns, fraud, inadmissibility, or another basis not eliminated by the pardon provision.

A pardon does not itself confer immigration status, cancel a removal order, or create eligibility for citizenship.

Any noncitizen considering a pardon must obtain a conviction-specific immigration analysis before relying on clemency as a solution.

What Is the Difference Between a Pardon and a Commutation?

A pardon and commutation are separate forms of clemency.

Presidential pardon	Commutation of sentence
Forgives a federal offense	Reduces or modifies an existing sentence
Commonly sought after sentence completion	Generally sought while punishment remains
May remove legal disabilities resulting from the conviction	Ordinarily does not remove conviction-based civil disabilities
Recognizes rehabilitation and forgiveness	Focuses primarily on reducing punishment
Does not erase the conviction	Does not erase the conviction
May restore federal firearm rights caused solely by the pardoned conviction	Does not ordinarily restore firearm rights

A person serving an excessive or outdated sentence may need a commutation rather than a pardon. A person who completed the sentence and seeks relief from continuing consequences may be a stronger candidate for a pardon.

Other forms of presidential clemency include reprieves and remission of fines or forfeitures.

What Is the Presidential Pardon Application Process?

The ordinary pardon process can be organized into several stages.

First, the legal team confirms that the conviction is within the President’s authority and that the applicant satisfies the ordinary eligibility requirements.

Second, the applicant’s complete federal and state criminal history is reconstructed. Court records, sentence-completion documents, restitution information, and relevant government records are collected and compared.

Third, the legal team develops the rehabilitation case. This may include employment, community service, family responsibilities, education, military service, professional achievements, treatment, recovery, and other evidence.

Fourth, the applicant’s personal statement and reasons for seeking clemency are developed.

Fifth, qualified character references are selected and their affidavits prepared.

Sixth, the petition and supporting materials are organized and submitted through the appropriate process.

After submission, the Office of the Pardon Attorney may investigate the case, request additional information, obtain comments from the prosecuting United States Attorney’s Office or sentencing judge, and ask the FBI to conduct a background investigation.

The Office of the Pardon Attorney may then make a recommendation. The final constitutional decision belongs to the President.

How Do I Submit a Presidential Pardon Application?

Applicants seeking a pardon after completing a federal sentence ordinarily use the Department of Justice’s official Petition for Pardon After Completion of Sentence.

The current application and instructions are available through the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s clemency application page.

The petition requires detailed information concerning the conviction, sentence, criminal history, employment, residences, reasons for seeking clemency, and post-conviction conduct. Applicants must also provide the character affidavits and supporting information required by the current instructions.

Applications involving military court-martial convictions are generally submitted through the military department that exercised original jurisdiction over the court-martial. Because forms, submission methods, addresses, and agency instructions may change, applicants should confirm the current requirements immediately before filing.

After DOJ opens a case, the applicant may receive a clemency case number. The Office of the Pardon Attorney maintains an online clemency case-status search, although the public status ordinarily provides limited information and does not disclose the substance of the government’s review.

How Long Does a Presidential Pardon Take?

There is no dependable deadline for a presidential pardon decision.

Some applications remain pending for years. Others may be decided more quickly. Some are closed without presidential action. The timing can be influenced by:

The volume of pending petitions;
The complexity and seriousness of the offense;
The need for a background investigation;
Requests for views from prosecutors or judges;
Changes in administration or clemency policy;
The completeness of the petition;
The need for supplemental information; and
The President’s exercise of constitutional discretion.

Applicants should not rely on promises that a pardon will be decided within 12 or 18 months. No lawyer controls the decision calendar.

While a petition is pending, applicants should preserve updated records and report important developments such as new employment, awards, community service, address changes, or other material information.

Can a Presidential Pardon Application Be Expedited?

There is no ordinary formal procedure guaranteeing expedited pardon review.

An applicant facing extraordinary circumstances may explain the urgency and provide supporting documentation, but neither an urgent need nor attorney involvement guarantees faster treatment.

Examples of circumstances that may warrant a carefully documented request for prompt attention include:

A time-sensitive medical condition;
An imminent professional or licensing deadline;
Exceptional public-service considerations;
Significant family hardship;
A uniquely time-sensitive legal disability; or
Another unusual circumstance supported by evidence.

The request must be credible. Manufactured urgency or unsupported claims can damage the application.

NSLF can communicate professionally with the appropriate government office, submit relevant updates, respond to requests, and ensure the record accurately presents the reason for urgency. We do not promise a particular review schedule or suggest that personal contacts can bypass the lawful process.

Can You Reapply After a Pardon Is Denied?

A denial does not necessarily prevent a future pardon request, but an applicant should not simply resubmit the same petition.

Before reapplying, the person should evaluate:

The applicable DOJ rules and instructions in effect at that time;
Whether the prior denial identified any reason;
How much time has passed;
What new evidence of rehabilitation exists;
Whether the need for relief has changed;
Whether unfavorable facts were inadequately addressed;
Whether the original submission contained omissions or strategic weaknesses; and
Whether a different remedy would better accomplish the client’s objective.

A stronger reapplication should demonstrate meaningful developments, not merely disagreement with the prior result.

Military Court-Martial Pardons

The President’s clemency authority extends to qualifying court-martial convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Military pardon cases require attention to both the conviction and the surrounding service record. Relevant evidence may include:

The charge sheet;
Court-martial findings and sentence;
Record of trial;
Appellate history;
DD Forms 214, 214-1, or 215;
Evaluations and awards;
Deployment history;
Post-service employment;
VA records where relevant;
Community contributions; and
Evidence of rehabilitation.

Under the ordinary process, a pardon request involving a court-martial may require routing through the appropriate military department. Current submission instructions should be confirmed at the time of filing because agency addresses and procedures can change.

A presidential pardon does not automatically upgrade a discharge, correct the military record, reinstate benefits, or reverse administrative actions. Those remedies may require a separate application to a discharge review board or Board for Correction of Military Records.

Our attorneys can coordinate a pardon strategy with other forms of military-record and discharge relief when appropriate.

Specialized or Proclamation-Based Pardons

Some Presidents have issued proclamations granting clemency to defined groups rather than deciding every case through an individual pardon petition.

Historical examples have included proclamations involving:

Certain federal and D.C. marijuana-possession offenses;
Certain former Article 125 UCMJ offenses;
Vietnam-era Selective Service offenses; and
Other identified categories of federal conduct.

A person covered by a proclamation may already have received clemency as a matter of law but still need an official certificate documenting that status.

Eligibility depends on the exact proclamation. Similar conduct, a related offense, or a state conviction does not necessarily qualify.

NSLF can determine whether a person falls within a proclamation and assist with obtaining the appropriate certificate.

Common Presidential Pardon Application Mistakes

A lengthy application is not necessarily a persuasive one. Common problems include:

Applying to the President for a state conviction;
Filing before satisfying DOJ’s ordinary waiting period without a supported waiver request;
Omitting arrests, charges, or other convictions;
Minimizing conduct contradicted by the court record;
Treating a pardon as an expungement;
Failing to explain a specific need for relief;
Submitting generic character letters;
Making unsupported claims about rehabilitation;
Ignoring unpaid restitution or other sentence obligations;
Providing inconsistent dates or narratives;
Overloading the submission with irrelevant documents;
Failing to address unfavorable publicity;
Assuming that a nonviolent offense automatically creates a strong case;
Promising that a pardon will produce a particular employment, licensing, immigration, or firearm result; and
Failing to update the application while it is pending.

NSLF reviews the petition from a federal decision-maker’s perspective before submission. We identify the questions the record raises and make sure the application answers them credibly.

How NSLF Builds a Presidential Pardon Application

Our work begins with a candid assessment. We want to understand not only why you want a pardon, but what a federal reviewer will see when examining your case.

Depending on the scope of representation, NSLF may:

Confirm the appropriate form of clemency;
Analyze jurisdiction and eligibility;
Reconstruct the criminal and sentencing history;
Obtain and organize court and government records;
Identify weaknesses before filing;
Develop the applicant’s rehabilitation narrative;
Document employment, family, military, and community contributions;
Help select and prepare character references;
Address restitution and financial-responsibility issues;
Explain the applicant’s specific need for relief;
Prepare the petition and supporting legal presentation;
Submit the completed application;
Respond to requests for additional information;
Provide material updates while the application is pending; and
Analyze related firearm, military, employment, security-clearance, or record-correction issues.

Our objective is not to make the applicant sound perfect. It is to present a complete and persuasive account of responsibility, change, and present character.

How Much Does a Presidential Pardon Lawyer Cost?

NSLF generally handles presidential pardon matters for a flat fee between $15,000 and $30,000, with many matters priced near $20,000.

The fee depends on factors such as:

The number and complexity of the convictions;
The age and accessibility of the records;
Whether military records are involved;
The applicant’s broader criminal history;
The seriousness of the underlying conduct;
Negative publicity;
The amount of evidence requiring development;
Related firearm or professional consequences;
Whether an unusual waiting-period waiver is requested; and
The anticipated scope of post-filing representation.

After reviewing the matter, we provide a defined scope of representation and a specific flat-fee quote.

Legal financing may be available through NSLF’s financing options. Financing is provided by a third party and remains subject to that provider’s terms and approval.

Frequently Asked Questions About Presidential Pardons

Does a presidential pardon erase a federal conviction?

No. A pardon forgives the offense and may remove legal disabilities, but it ordinarily does not expunge, seal, or erase the conviction.

Can a presidential pardon restore gun rights?

A full presidential pardon can remove the federal firearm disability caused by the pardoned federal conviction. Separate convictions, statuses, state laws, or other prohibitions may remain.

Is a pardon still the only federal way to restore gun rights?

No. DOJ has established a federal firearm rights restoration process under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c). A pardon and § 925(c) relief are different remedies.

Can the President pardon a state felony?

No. State convictions generally require relief from the governor, pardon board, court, or other state-authorized body.

Do I have to wait five years to apply?

DOJ’s ordinary process generally requires five years after release from confinement or sentencing, whichever is later. DOJ may waive that requirement in exceptional circumstances. The regulation governs applications through DOJ and does not limit the President’s constitutional authority.

Do I have to admit guilt?

Acceptance of responsibility and remorse are important DOJ considerations. Cases involving claims of innocence or disputed responsibility require careful legal analysis because the ordinary pardon process is generally focused on forgiveness and rehabilitation rather than overturning the conviction.

Will the FBI investigate me?

DOJ may ask the FBI to conduct a background investigation. Applicants should assume that material claims may be verified.

Will the prosecutor or judge be contacted?

The Office of the Pardon Attorney may seek input from the prosecuting United States Attorney’s Office and the sentencing judge.

Can a pardon restore a security clearance?

A pardon does not grant or guarantee a security clearance. It may serve as relevant mitigation, but adjudicators may still consider the underlying conduct.

Can a pardon change a dishonorable discharge?

A pardon does not automatically change a discharge characterization. A separate discharge-upgrade or military-record-correction application may be required.

Can a pardon stop deportation?

A pardon may affect certain conviction-based immigration grounds, but it does not eliminate every immigration consequence. A separate immigration analysis is essential.

Can NSLF guarantee that my pardon will be granted?

No lawyer can guarantee a presidential decision. NSLF can ensure that the petition is strategically developed, accurate, complete, and supported by credible evidence.

Can NSLF represent clients nationwide?

Yes. Presidential pardons are federal matters, and NSLF represents eligible clients throughout the United States and abroad when jurisdiction permits.

Start Building Your Presidential Pardon Petition

The passage of time alone does not tell your story.

A strong pardon petition shows what you did with that time: the responsibilities you accepted, the people who now depend on you, the career and community you built, the harm you repaired, and the person you became after the conviction.

National Security Law Firm can help you turn that record into a serious application for presidential consideration.

Your matter will be led by attorneys who understand federal prosecution, military justice, government decision-making, and the evidentiary standards applied to claims of rehabilitation. We will identify the weaknesses before the government does, develop the evidence supporting your request, and present your case with the care its consequences demand.

Schedule a confidential presidential-pardon consultation or call (202) 600-4996 to discuss your federal conviction and the relief you hope to achieve.

Your conviction is part of the record. It does not have to be the final word.

This page provides general legal information and is not legal advice. Clemency decisions are discretionary and depend on the facts of each case. Past results do not predict future outcomes. This website is an attorney advertisement.

Official Presidential Pardon Resources

Applicants researching federal clemency may consult the following Department of Justice resources: