Alaska-Pardon

The pardon power is vested in the governor, who is advised by an informal executive clemency advisory committee.  Applications are submitted to the parole board whose staff determines eligibility by unstated criteria.  If a person is deemed eligible, the parole board investigates, consults with DA and sentencing court, and prepares a confidential recommendation to the governor.  There is no provision for a hearing.  Pardon sets aside the conviction but does not expunge it; conviction may not serve as a predicate or be the basis of denial of a license, though underlying conduct may be considered. There have been no pardon grants in Alaska since 2006, when the pardon program was suspended by the legislature until January 2018.  Despite the establishment of a rigorous administrative review process at that time, there have been no grants since then.