Indiana-Pardon

The governor decides and is authorized (but not required) to consult with the parole board, which may make non-binding recommendations to the governor.  The governor must report annually to legislature on each grant at its next scheduled meeting.  The board notifies victims, court, and prosecutor, and it investigates and holds a hearing where petitioner and interested parties are given an opportunity to be heard.  Recent governors have required a five-year waiting period and evidence of rehabilitation, with a 15-year waiting period for firearms restoration.  Pardon alleviates collateral consequences and serves as basis for automatic expungement.  Process is regular but pardons are infrequent.