South Carolina Pardons Lawyer

Criminal convictions can have lifelong consequences. Any time you receive a criminal conviction – or even an arrest – it goes on your record. A serious criminal record can make it extremely difficult for you to get and keep a good job, find a place to live or attend school. This is true even after you have completed your sentence or term of probation.

In addition to these potential problems, a criminal conviction can also put a serious damper on your legal rights. However, if you apply for a pardon, you may be able to get some or all of these legal rights back. You may qualify for a pardon even if you do not qualify for a criminal records expungement, which effectively removes your record. However, to qualify for a pardon, you must have fulfilled all the court-imposed requirements of your sentence.

Obtaining a pardon can be a tedious process. A South Carolina pardons lawyer could review the circumstances of your conviction and discuss your claim with you. An accomplished criminal defense attorney may also be able to take the necessary legal steps to help you obtain a positive outcome.

What a Pardon Can and Cannot Do

There are certain things that a criminal pardon can do and certain things that it cannot do. Even if someone is able to obtain a pardon, it will not erase their criminal record. However, it may forgive the legal consequences of the underlying crime.

Moreover, a pardon may be able to restore some of the legal rights the individual lost upon conviction, such as:

• Right to hold a public office
• Right to vote
• Right to serve on a jury
• Right to hold a license and drive a motor vehicle

However, pardons act differently for registered sex offenders. A criminal pardon will not lift the sex offender registration requirements (South Carolina Sex Offender Registry). These are typically lifelong registries, and the person may have to continue to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life. A skilled attorney could further explain what pardons can do to help convicted parties in South Carolina re-gain their rights.

Steps To Obtain a Pardon in South Carolina

Obtaining a pardon can be a lengthy process, but a local lawyer may be able to assist and help make the process more manageable. The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services handle criminal pardons requests.

For someone to obtain a pardon for a prior criminal offense, they will first need to fill out the necessary application. The individual seeking the pardon may then have to appear before the South Carolina Pardon Board to make a formal request. The Board then makes a final decision on the case.

Contacting a South Carolina Pardons Attorney

Obtaining a pardon can open many doors in your personal or professional life. In doing so, it can help you to move on with your life and free yourself from your past.

If you are beginning the process of obtaining a criminal pardon, you may need detail-oriented legal representation. A South Carolina pardons lawyer could help you explore all your legal options, assist you with preparing the necessary paperwork, and represent you at hearings before the South Carolina Pardon Board. Call now to learn more.