Massachusetts-Pardon

The governor may not issue any pardons without the affirmative recommendation of the governor’s council and must report pardons annually to the legislature.  By statute, petitions must be filed with advisory board of pardons, which holds a public hearing and solicits recommendations from attorney general, prosecutor, and sentencing court; board provides notice to victim and forwards recommendation to governor.  Under informal board guidelines, eligibility begins 15 years after conviction or release from prison for felonies and 10 years for misdemeanors.  Record sealed upon pardon.  Pardons were rare between 1990 and 2023 but the practice appears to be reviving with Governor Healey, who issued new guidelines in 2023 and began issuing pardons immediately.