Guides and news on federal clemency
Start with the guides if you're trying to decide what to do. The news posts cover past clemency decisions; they're kept for history, so check the date before relying on them.
- How 925(c) Relief Differs From Clemency on Guns
925(c) vs presidential clemency for gun rights: Article II, part 1 rules, and how §§ 921(a)(20) and (a)(33) treat convictions
- Senate Bill Would Codify Federal Clemency Rules
S.5687 is in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill would codify clemency petitions and add new public disclosures after some presidential grants.
- Commutation Petition Revision Reached OMB on Nov. 2
OMB has not approved a new commutation petition. The Nov. 2, 2026 submission describes one added support-system item and leaves the current form in place.
- Does a Pardon Remove Federal Criminal History Points?
No. A conviction pardoned to restore rights still counts in a later federal criminal-history score. See the 2026 guideline commentary and time limits.
- How to File a Commutation Petition in Federal Prison
Federal prison staff have 30 days to gather the records for a commutation petition and route it to the Warden. See what the current Bureau rule requires.
- Can You Serve on a Federal Jury After a Pardon?
A felony conviction bars federal jury service until civil rights are restored. Learn how a presidential pardon changes that, and why a commutation doesn't.
- Can a Presidential Pardon Stop Deportation?
Sometimes. A full and unconditional presidential pardon removes four deportation grounds in 8 U.S.C. § 1227, but not drug or firearm grounds.
- Does a Pardon Refund a Fine You Already Paid?
No. A federal pardon reaches the unpaid part of a fine, but under Knote v. United States, money already in the Treasury stays there.
- Justice Department Plans to Revise the Pardon Application
An October 21, 2026 Federal Register notice says the Pardon Attorney is seeking approval to revise the Application for Pardon After Completion of Sentence.
- October 13, 2026: 2 Pardons in Alaska Clean Air Act Cases
The Pardon Attorney lists 2 pardons dated October 13, 2026, both for Clean Air Act conspiracy convictions from the District of Alaska.
- Can a President pardon himself?
No court has decided whether a President can pardon himself. Here is what the Constitution, the Justice Department and official records say.
- How to check the status of a federal clemency petition
Use the Office of the Pardon Attorney's online case search. Here is how it works and what pending, granted, denied and closed mean.
- Clemency lawyer: help with a federal pardon or commutation
What a clemency lawyer does, what drives the work on a federal pardon or commutation petition, and whether you need one.
- September 3, 2026: 23 Pardons and 6 Commutations Announced
The Pardon Attorney lists 29 clemency grants dated September 3, 2026, covering drug, firearms registration, Clean Air Act, fraud, and counterfeiting cases.
- Federal Firearm Rights Restoration: DOJ's New Rule and Application Dates
A final rule published August 20, 2026 and effective September 21, 2026 sets criteria for restoring federal firearm rights under 18 U.S.C. § 925(c).
- January 17, 2025: Commutations Granted to 2,490 People
The Office of the Pardon Attorney lists a January 17, 2025 commutation grant covering 2,490 people. The recipient list shows mostly drug convictions.
- President Biden’s Clemency Plans (2021 Report)
In 2021, news outlets reported that President Biden was preparing a clemency push focused on racial inequality. Here is what was reported and what happened.
- Clemency Push Continues (May 2021)
In May 2021, the New York Times reported that the Biden administration was preparing a clemency push.
- President Biden and Clemency: A 2021 Look Ahead
A May 2021 look ahead at President Biden's use of clemency, with an update on the final numbers.
- Biden and the Power of Commutation (May 2021)
In May 2021, President Biden faced pressure to start commuting federal sentences. Here is what was reported then, and what happened.