Effects of a Pardon

EMPLOYMENT
Many professions require licenses. The licensing agency for each profession operates under different laws and policies. Some agencies will not issue you a license even if you are pardoned, some will consider you only if you receive a pardon, and others do not require a pardon.
If you are considering applying for a Pardon in order to obtain a particular type of employment or a license, you should first check with the employer or licensing entity to see if it would be helpful to do so.

Even if you receive a pardon, you must still answer “Yes” if asked if you have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor on an employment application, unless the record has been expunged. You can add however, that you have been pardoned. A pardon does not remove the conviction from your record.

In order to remove the conviction from background checks and public records you will have to get an expungement. 

LIQUOR LICENSES
To be eligible for a liquor license, you must be pardoned on ALL felonies (Oklahoma, other states and Federal). You must also be pardoned on all alcohol-related Municipal Court misdemeanor convictions from Oklahoma and any other state. Your spouse, partner, partner’s spouse, employees, corporate officers, and directors cannot legally obtain a liquor license if you have not been pardoned.

VOTING & JURY DUTY

If you receive a Pardon you will be allowed to register to vote. However, without a Pardon you are only eligible to vote after a period equal to the length of your sentence. For example, if you were convicted and given a two-year sentence on January 1, 2000, you cannot vote until January 1, 2002. For more information contact the State Election Board at (405) 521-2391.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

A felony conviction does not prevent you from owning property, with one exception. A person convicted of Murder First Degree, Murder Second Degree, or Manslaughter First Degree cannot inherit property from the victim nor receive proceeds from the victim’s insurance. A pardon will not change this.

FIREARMS

A Pardon can also allow you to own a gun under Oklahoma and federal laws if the record has also been expunged. 

There may be Federal laws that apply to you. For more information contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226, (202) ­927-­8700. There may be other State requirements for states other than Oklahoma. For state specific information contact that state.

SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION

A Pardon does not remove the responsibilities created under Title 57 O.S. § 584. Even if granted a Pardon you will continue to be required to register according to State law.

FUTURE FELONY CONVICTION

A Pardon will not prevent prior convictions from being considered if you are later convicted of a felony. Your previous record may be used in the sentencing process even if the offense has been pardoned.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?

A Pardon can be useful in helping you to present yourself as a responsible citizen. A Pardon serves as recognition that you have adjusted well to society since completing your sentence. If you have received a pardon you can expunge the record and remove it from your criminal record entirely.