Blog

Governor Grants Clemency to 13

Posted by Joseph D. Lento | Apr 16, 2021 | 0 Comments

If you or someone you love has been convicted of a crime and is now serving time in prison, you might be wondering if there is any further recourse. Most sentences allow the offender to appeal, but once appeals are exhausted, it might feel like there is no way back to the freedom you once had. Besides appealing your case, if you are able, applying for clemency is a viable option.

In February 2021, Governor Tom Wolf granted clemency to 13 people who had been sentenced to life in prison. He believed they had served the time necessary for their crimes and should now be able to live a fulfilling life outside of prison. In fact, several of the parolees were in their late 70s or 80s and had already served 20 – 30 years in prison.

How a Governor Grants Clemency

There are two types of clemency – pardons and commutations. If granted a pardon, the government discharges an individual from the penalties of having committed the crime. With a pardon, the state essentially forgives the offender and allows the offender to deny he was ever convicted of a crime. Commutations are a reduction in the offender's sentence. If approved, the offender would serve less prison or parole time.

In Pennsylvania, offenders will apply for clemency through the Board of Pardons. The Board is comprised of five individuals who will review the application and make a unanimous decision on whether clemency is suitable. Once the Board determines an offender is eligible for either a pardon or commutation of their sentence, they will pass the recommendations on to the Governor. The Governor does not have to grant clemency to every recommendation the Board gives them, but they are not allowed to bypass this process and hand out clemency as they see fit. The applications have to go through the Board of Pardons first.

How an Attorney Can Help

If someone close to you has been sentenced to life in prison and has served a large part of that sentence, they might be eligible for clemency. A skilled criminal defense attorney will understand the intricacies of the application for clemency, determine if you are preliminarily eligible to file, and then draft and file the application on your behalf. Our Criminal Law Team  at LLF Law Firm has the experience and skill required to aid you in your search for clemency. Don't try to navigate this tricky process on your own. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation. Our Criminal Law Team wants to help - let us.

About the Author

Joseph D. Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento passionately fights for the futures of his clients in criminal courtrooms in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania as well as in New Jersey and nationwide. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. With unparalleled experience occupying several roles in the criminal justice system outside of being an attorney, Joseph D. Lento can give you valuable behind-the-scenes insight as to what is happening during all phases of the legal process. Joseph D. Lento is licensed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, and is admitted pro hac vice as needed nationwide. In the courtroom and in life, attorney Joseph D. Lento stands up when the bell rings!

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Comments have been disabled.

Contact Us Today!

The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

Menu