Arkansas-Pardon

The governor has the constitutional power to pardon but is required by statute to consult the parole board for a non-binding recommendation before making a grant.  The board and governor must each give 30 days’ public notice of intention to recommend or grant, stating their reasons, and the governor is constitutionally required to report to the legislature on all grants.  Pardon relieves legal disabilities (except the right to hold office which is restored only by expungement) and is grounds for automatic sealing in all but cases involving serious violence; a pardoned conviction may not serve as predicate or to enhance a subsequent sentence.  Firearms rights must be expressly restored in the pardon document, and they may also be separately restored by the governor.  Pardons are frequent and the process regular and governed by statute: pardons are issued on a regular monthly basis throughout the year, about 100 each year and about 25% of those who apply.