The United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently launched a program to implement President Joe Biden’s Federal Cannabis Conviction Pardon Presidential Proclamation allowing recipients of the October 6, 2022, presidential pardon for simple possession of marijuana to obtain a pardon certificate.This blog post will outline the eligibility criteria for obtaining a pardon certificate and provide guidance on how a lawyer can assist clients throughout the process. DAngeloLegal Blog
Eligibility Criteria:
According to the Pardon Attorney, an applicant must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a pardon certificate:
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Have been charged or convicted of simple possession of marijuana in either a federal court or D.C. Superior Court.
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Have been lawfully within the United States at the time of the offense.
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Have been a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident on October 6, 2022.
Required Information for the Online Form:
To obtain a pardon certificate, applicants must provide the following information on the online form:
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Personal information, including name, date of birth, and place of birth.
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Contact information: email address is strongly preferred, but an applicant can also include a mailing address and/or phone number. If the applicant does not have their own email, mailing address or phone number, they can include the contact information of a person who is helping them complete the application.
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Information regarding the applicant’s citizenship or immigration status, including alien registration or citizenship number of a person who is a lawful permanent resident or naturalized citizen and the date those statuses were attained.
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Court documents that include the district of conviction, code section of the conviction, date of conviction, and docket number, if convicted; or
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Court documents that include the code section of the charge, district where charged, and docket number, if charged but not convicted.
How can a Experienced Federal Criminal Pardon Lawyer Assist?
A an experienced Federal Criminal Pardon Lawyer can play a crucial role in helping clients navigate the pardon certificate process by:
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Determining eligibility: A lawyer can help clients review their case history and determine if they meet the criteria for a pardon certificate.
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Gathering necessary documentation: A lawyer can help clients obtain the required court documents and other relevant information for the online form.
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Completing the online form clients: A lawyer can provide guidance in accurately completing the online form with the necessary information and ensure all required fields are filled out.
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Monitoring the application status: A lawyer can help clients track the progress of their pardon certificate application and address any potential issues that may arise during the process.
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Advising on additional legal matters: In the event that the pardon certificate affects other legal matters, such as employment or immigration status, a lawyer can provide guidance and support.
The new Federal Cannabis Conviction Pardon Program presents a significant opportunity for those with qualifying convictions to clear their records. An experienced Federal Criminal Defense Attorney can play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate this process by determining eligibility, gathering necessary documentation, and providing ongoing support.
