Pardon Applications are considered only after a significant period of time of exemplary citizenship and demonstrable evidence of rehabilitation and generally require that at least five (5) years have passed since the termination or expiration of all criminal offenses, sentences, and supervision on probation or parole (Utah Admin. Code, R671-315-1).  The Board generally requires that all restitution, fines, and fees be paid for any conviction for which a pardon is sought.  

Utah law provides for a process known as Expungement, whereby some arrests and convictions can be expunged or purged from your criminal history.  (See Utah Code Ann. §77-40-101).  Before you apply for a pardon, the Board expects that you will seek an Expungement from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification and the Courts.  As part of the pardon application, you will be required to detail your attempts to expunge the crimes for which you are seeking a pardon.

Submitting a Pardon Application does not necessarily result in the Board scheduling a pardon hearing. The Board may deny a pardon request without holding a hearing. In addition, if the Board schedules a pardon hearing, there is no guarantee that a pardon will be granted.

The Board will consider the Pardon Application, any input received from victims, police agencies, prosecutors or judges regarding your cases, as well as all available information which the Board determines is relevant to the grant of a pardon.

Please fill out the application completely and return it to the Board of Pardons and Parole at 448 East Winchester Street, Suite 300, Murray, Utah 84107. You must obtain and return the required information and copies of required reports pertaining to the arrest, adjudication, conviction, sentencing, probation, parole, etc. for each charge for which you are seeking a pardon. The Pardon Application must be signed, under oath or affirmation, prior to submission.

Please be aware that the Pardon Application will require you to obtain and submit police reports, court dockets, and pre-sentence investigation reports for all convictions for which a pardon is sought. If you are unable to obtain and submit this information, you will be required to explain and document all of your attempts to procure the requisite information, and the reasons it is unavailable.

Upon request from the Board, the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification may conduct a background investigation of the applicant. In all cases, applicants must include a current copy of their Utah criminal background report, obtained from BCI, as part of the Pardon Application.

After receipt of the complete application, the Board may request additional information, may deny the application for pardon without a hearing, or may schedule a pardon hearing. Incomplete applications may be denied summarily. If the Board grants a pardon hearing, the applicant will be notified by Board staff.

Pardon hearings are typically 45 to 60 days following the Board’s decision to grant and schedule a hearing. Pardon hearings will be held at the Board’s offices, located at 448 East Winchester Street (6400 South), Suite 300, Murray, Utah 84107. Pardon hearings are open, public hearings. Any member of the public who wishes to attend may do so, including family members, friends, and supporters of the applicant.

Notice of the pardon hearing will be published on the Board’s website and the Utah Open Public Meeting website; and will be mailed to all victims of record if they can be located. Notice of the application and hearing will also be mailed to the investigating police agency, the presiding judge of the Court where the conviction was entered, and the agency responsible for prosecuting the case which resulted in the conviction. Any or all of these individuals, entities, or their representatives may attend the pardon hearing and may provide written or verbal input or comment to the Board regarding the application and the Board’s action regarding the Pardon Application.

On the day of the hearing, please plan on arriving for the hearing a few minutes early. Pardon hearings will not be conducted via telephone or video conference. The applicant must attend the hearing. All Board hearings, including pardon hearings, are recorded.

Following the hearing, the Board will take the application and all matters pertaining to the pardon request under advisement. The Board may deny the pardon request, grant the request in part, grant the pardon with conditions, or grant a full and unconditional pardon.

Following the Board’s decision, the applicant will be notified in writing of the results as soon as practicable.