Criminal Defense, Pardons, and License Reinstatement Lawyers

Expunging and sealing criminal records may require a governor's pardon, i.e. executive clemency. Also, only specific consideration by the governor will restore gun rights lost by certain convictions. A pardon is also required for a commutation of sentence.

A governor’s pardon with authority to expunge may be required to clear your arrest record. It is a worthwhile pursuit that may affect your future profoundly. While your petition is pending, if an urgent opportunity or need should arise while waiting for a determination by the governor, a copy of your professionally prepared pending petition can be used by you to best explain past criminal history to others. It may impress a prospective employer or others that you have taken the initiative to clear your record.

I have been preparing clemency petitions for the past thirty-plus years to the many governors that have served Illinois during that time. In fact, clients seeking clemency have been referred to me by a former Illinois governor. My preparation is most professional and always favorably received by the Prisoner Review Board. I have been commended by my peers for winning clemency in extraordinarily difficult cases. It is how I received my AV Highest Legal Ability Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the authority for lawyer referrals.

I represent clients seeking executive clemency for Illinois crimes. Proper preparation of your petition will take several months, and fees are determined by anticipated preparation and multijurisdictional or aggravated criminal history.

In addition, I represent clients seeking clemency for past convictions in federal courts throughout the United States. Clemency may be sought for a pardon, reprieve, and commutation of sentence or remission of a fine. Proper preparation of your petition will take significant time. Fees will depend on your criminal and biographical history, legal opinion and argument, and/or extraordinary preparation and the volume of supporting documentation required. Please know that it is usually required, subject to waiver for cause, that five years have passed since your release from all court sentencing obligations if a pardon for forgiveness is sought.

The probability of success requires that your petition assure little risk of criminal recidivism and that your criminal record has had a severe negative impact on your life, such as negatively affecting your ability to secure current or future job opportunities. Military service, health service and other significant community service are given extraordinary consideration. It is also desirable that you have achieved a high level of competence in your chosen field through education or experience that would best benefit not only you but also the community if your pursuit of future endeavors were not hindered by your record. In seeking a commutation of sentence, your worthiness of clemency will depend on your case circumstances and perhaps legal argument. Your probability of success depends on the compelling nature of your particular situation.

Clemency is a worthwhile pursuit that may affect your future profoundly. While your petition is pending, if an urgent opportunity or need should arise while waiting for a determination by the president, a copy of your professionally prepared pending petition can be used by you to best explain past criminal history to others. It may impress a prospective employer or others that you have taken the initiative to clear your record.

If you are petitioning for driver's license reinstatement, the burden of proof is on you to show why you should have your license back. Restricted driving privileges are often granted during suspension or revocation periods due to employment, school, and support or medical appointment transportation difficulties. But you must prove that you are worthy of that consideration. Don't make the mistake of being ill-prepared. A record is kept by the Secretary of State of all unsuccessful hearings that will require you to be even more extensively prepared for your next hearing. Do it right the first time.

Some suspensions require only minimal compliance that can get you back on the road without a hearing and without retaining legal counsel. If a hearing is required, however, it is recommended that you be represented by a qualified attorney. Please call to discuss your particular issues.

There is no substitute for thorough preparation for your license reinstatement hearing.

If you have questions about pursuing a Governor’s pardon, Presidential pardon, or are looking into getting your Driver’s License reinstated, please contact me by telephone today to discuss. I look forward to assisting you in this process.