Delaware-Pardon

The governor has the power to pardon but may not act without an affirmative recommendation from a clemency board composed of senior government officials, chaired by the lieutenant governor.  A person is eligible to apply 3-5 years following completion of sentence, depending on seriousness of the offense, and earlier in extraordinary circumstances.  Public hearings are held at regular monthly intervals, and board recommendations and reasons are announced at hearing.  The process takes about 6 months.  A pardon relieves all legal disabilities except constitutional provisions barring someone convicted of “infamous crime” from holding state office.  As of 2019, a pardoned conviction is eligible for discretionary expungement, but it may still be used as predicate.  Pardons are frequent and the process regular: more than 400 pardons have been granted annually in recent years; about 80% of those whose cases went to hearing.