File photo
Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced Dec. 24 that he has granted 104 pardons. It is something he has done each year on Christmas Eve.
The individuals granted pardons completed their sentences and have been living crime-free for more than a decade.
While some news organizations have characterized the pardons as involving “low-level” or “non-violent” crimes, the fact is that the ex-cons were pardoned for crimes including: murder for hire (soliciting a murder), vehicular manslaughter, wife beating, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, witness tampering, grand theft, burglary, arson, felony DUI, receipt of stolen property and drug dealing and/or manufacture of drugs. Very few of the 104 had been convicted for simple drug possession.
[SEE THEM ALL HERE.]
According to the governor’s office:
“Individuals who have been convicted of a crime in California may apply to the Governor for a pardon. All applicants for a pardon who were eligible obtained a Certificate of Rehabilitation, which is an order from a superior court declaring that a person convicted of a crime is now rehabilitated. A gubernatorial pardon may be granted to people who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives following their conviction. Pardons are not granted unless they are earned.
“When a pardon is granted, the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are notified so that they may update their records on the applicant. The pardon is filed with the Secretary of State and the Legislature, and it is a public record.”
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Tweet This
Facebook
Digg This
Bookmark
Stumble
RSS
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.
10 Comments
And people voted for him! Outstanding
Why doesn’t he just release everyone from prison and let them live with him ….
Before outright condemning Gov. Brown’s actions on this, I suggest following the link Mr. Worden has provided and read through some of these pardons. They are all clear on the crimes these 104 individuals committed but they are equally clear that these same individuals not only served their time but have spent their clean, law abiding lives since. Some criminals are just people who have made mistakes in their lives, some times it’s hard to do this but sometimes you have to look past how people have fallen and focus on how they’ve picked themselves back up. Good for the Gov. for recalling this principle at this time of year.
Awesome! Two more people who comment without actually reading the article.
Read the article: murder for hire (soliciting a murder), vehicular manslaughter, wife beating, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, witness tampering, grand theft, burglary, arson, felony DUI, receipt of stolen property and drug dealing and/or manufacture of drugs. All master manipulator a. 10 years means nothing to a sociopath
For some reason my first post didn’t pass muster with the moderator, let’s try again:
I suggest reading at least some of the pardons before rushing to judgement. These are not hardened criminals but people who’ve made one or a few mistakes, served their time, and have led clean lives since. People shouldn’t just be judged by falling but how they’ve picked themselves up. Good for the Gov for recognizing and acting on this.
I Read THE Article AND I Agree With THE First 2 comments
After reading this article several times, reading all the pardons, taking a look at articles posted on the web, I have to agree with Mr. Schwartz. The ladies and men have too been released and lived a crime free life for at least 10 years, some for decades, before starting the process. They than can apply for a pardon to regain certain citizen rights, lost when convicted of a crime.
It appears as though none of these people were currently serving time and than pardoned.
I would say after reading a good many of the pardons that were granted, they really don’t do much harm. The ones that should never be pardoned are the assaults and the ones with weapons charges.
Sounds about right, what did it cost them?