What is clemency?
A. Clemency is essentially the state’s forgiveness of past crimes, and the restoration of your basic civil rights including the right to vote, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to hold public office, among other rights that come with the restoration of civil rights. In addition, restoration of civil rights may allow you to be considered for certain types of employment licenses. These rights are suspended when a person is convicted of a felony.
Restoration of rights and pardons are examples of clemency. Restoration of rights restores the rights which are lost upon a felony conviction. These include the rights to vote, to run for and hold public office, to serve on juries and to serve as a Notary Public. It does not include the right to possess or transport any firearm or to carry a concealed weapon. [If the Governor restores your rights, you may petition the circuit court of the jurisdiction in which you reside for a permit to possess or carry a firearm. The court may, in its discretion and for good cause shown, grant such a petition and issue a permit.] There are three types of pardons: simple, conditional, and absolute. All three types require the petitioner to write a letter to the governor stating why the pardon should be granted. If you have been convicted of a felony you must have your rights restored before the Governor will consider a petition for a pardon. http://www.commonwealth.virginia.gov/Clemency/clemency.cfm ht
