What Does a Presidential Pardon Do?
When a person is convicted of a felony and sent to prison, he is considered civilly disabled. (Having a civil disability means being unable to participate in a legal activity that would normally be yours to fully enjoy had you not been convicted.) When a person is convicted of a felony, he loses the right to vote, the right to bear arms, the right to serve on a jury and the right to hold public office. When a person receives a pardon, his rights are restored. The crime has been forgiven, and any of the penalties associated with the conviction are forgotten. Receiving a Pardon Pardons are not reserved for famous people or political figures; anyone can apply for a presidential pardon. A great amount of paperwork and politics is involved, but the effort is worth it if the pardon is granted. A person seeking a presidential pardon needs to assemble documentation that includes his work history, residence, military record (if applicable), detailed criminal history, and the application for res
