When to Apply for a Governor's Pardon

[Nemesis754]

My question involves criminal records for the state of: IL

Briefly describe your legal issue.:

Misdemeanor Battery conviction with 2 year probation and SWAP work. Finished probation/everything january of 2012 this year. I would like to seal my record before applying to medical school. This was my first offense.

I have talked to different attorneys about a 'governor's pardon' because sealing and expungement is out of the question and they've said it's possible but the waiting period could be too long or that it is a waste of money and that I should wait 2 more years then try and seal my record first, then the pardon.

So its either I go ahead with the pardon and apply now or wait 2 years and then try and seal my record. I'm not sure which way to go about. With the whole Balgoevich thing, governor Quinn has already a lot up his shoulder but some say he pardons a lot during holidays.

I really just need advice on when to apply for this pardon, it's only been 6 months since I've completed my probation in january, not sure if I should wait 2 years then try or just go ahead with it now, I'm in a pickle because of the waiting period. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I take my mcat january 2013 and apply for med school in summer of 2013. They say its an extensive background check, any misdemeanors due to violence, theft, or drugs needs to be reported with most information. So I can basically show my mcat application, recommendation letters, grades, volunteer work, for a strong application for 'governor's pardon'... just not sure if applying after 6 months of completing 2 yr probation is a good idea???

[Conrad Hunter]

There is no chance for a pardon under the circumstances you describe. After completing probation 6 months ago, you will NOT have a strong application for a governor's pardon. If you only realized how absurd that is.

If you pled to the charge, you should have had a better attorney and gotten diversion after the probation which would have wiped the conviction. You could also have perhaps done a collateral attack on the conviction but any post conviction relief is gone with the conclusion of probation.

Take a look at the disqualifying offenses for a job with departments like state children and families, social services, or whatever it is called there. That will tell you some things about how your medical school is likely to react.

[viol8te]

My question involves criminal records for the state of: IL

Briefly describe your legal issue.:

Misdemeanor Battery conviction with 2 year probation and SWAP work. Finished probation/everything january of 2012 this year. I would like to seal my record before applying to medical school. This was my first offense.

I have talked to different attorneys about a 'governor's pardon' because sealing and expungement is out of the question and they've said it's possible but the waiting period could be too long or that it is a waste of money and that I should wait 2 more years then try and seal my record first, then the pardon.

So its either I go ahead with the pardon and apply now or wait 2 years and then try and seal my record. I'm not sure which way to go about. With the whole Balgoevich thing, governor Quinn has already a lot up his shoulder but some say he pardons a lot during holidays.

I really just need advice on when to apply for this pardon, it's only been 6 months since I've completed my probation in january, not sure if I should wait 2 years then try or just go ahead with it now, I'm in a pickle because of the waiting period. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I take my mcat january 2013 and apply for med school in summer of 2013. They say its an extensive background check, any misdemeanors due to violence, theft, or drugs needs to be reported with most information. So I can basically show my mcat application, recommendation letters, grades, volunteer work, for a strong application for 'governor's pardon'... just not sure if applying after 6 months of completing 2 yr probation is a good idea???

Why would you waste time trying to pardon a misdemeanor battery? It's not a felony. Did you get a conditional discharge or a supervision?

[Nemesis754]

I was convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, punished 2 years probation, and SWAP work.

I realize that it is just a simple battery misdemeanor, however competition is great in law and medical practices and from what everyone's telling me, I think I will just wait on the governor's pardon or sealing. I guess I just have to be prepared to tell my story if I get a chance to meet admissions committee.

[PandorasBox]

Look up your states application form for a Governor's Pardon. You likely will see a part where it reads you must apply for Expungment first (once you are eligible) and be denied.

[viol8te]

In Illinois, you ask for a pardon if you can't seal or expunge the case in county court. If the sentence is a supervision, which is still monitored by a probation officer, you are eligible for expungment two years after the probation ends. If you are convicted of a conditional discharge, then you have a permanent conviction. It is possible to have a good attorney go back and request to reopen the case so that the judge can resentence the case to a supervision or outright nolle it since you've met all the requirements. However, the matter is only 6 months old, your request won't be entertained until 2years after completion of supervision.