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Expungement, Wrongful Conviction, CQEs and CAEs in Ohio: Pardons

What is Clemency?

Executive Clemency is an act of mercy or leniency from certain consequences of a criminal conviction, and is exercised by the Governor after receipt of a recommendation from the Parole Board. 

Clemency can be in the form of a pardon, commutation, or reprieve.

Pardon: A pardon is the remission of a penalty. It is an act of grace or forgiveness that relieves the person pardoned from some or all of the ramifications of lawful punishment. A pardon may be conditional or unconditional.  Pardons do not erase or seal a conviction; a pardon forgives guilt.

Commutation: Commutation is the reduction of a penalty to one less severe.  A commutation may be conditional or unconditional.

Reprieve: A reprieve is the temporary postponement of the execution of a sentence.

Ohio Law

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