Are you still considered a felon after a pardon?

Is a pardon better than expungement?

Unlike expungement, a pardon does not erase a criminal record. Instead, it is a formal forgiveness for the crime, relieving the individual from the legal consequences associated with the conviction.

What states restore gun rights to felons?

Several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, and South Dakota, offer paths for felons to regain gun rights, often automatically or via petition after waiting periods (5-15 years post-sentence), though processes vary significantly, with some states like Texas restoring home possession rights automatically, while Wyoming restores rights for nonviolent felonies after five years, highlighting diverse state approaches to firearm rights restoration. 

Do pardoned crimes show up on a background check?

A pardon has many benefits, but it does not erase your criminal history. Potential employers will still see the conviction when performing a background check, and the criminal record will appear in all publicly accessible databases.

What benefits does a person receive when given a pardon?

Without a doubt this is a most successful program which reduces recidivism and increases public safety. A pardon or record suspension facilitates obtaining employment and housing and reduces unnecessary stigma in other facets of life.

Can you still be prosecuted if you are pardoned?

Once a pardon is given and accepted, the matter has been concluded. The person may only be tried for any crimes committed outside the defined scope of the pardon. The only way to overturn a pardon would be finding that it was not made lawfully, such as "in cases of impeachment," where the Constitution prohibits it.

What are the benefits of being pardoned?

Pardons are one of the most important powers presidents have. With a swipe of their pen, they can erase a person's federal criminal conviction, freeing them from prison if they're locked up, and erasing the collateral consequences that often haunt people even after they've served their sentence.

How many felons did President Trump pardon?

List of people granted executive clemency in the second Trump presidency. In his role as the 47th president of the United States (January 20, 2025 – present), Donald Trump granted executive clemency to more than 1,600 individuals as of July 23, 2025, all of whom were charged or convicted of federal criminal offenses.

Can you refuse to be pardoned?

In United States v. Wilson (1833), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a pardon can be rejected by the intended recipient and must be affirmatively accepted to be officially recognized by the courts. In that case, George Wilson was convicted of robbing the US Mail and was sentenced to death.

Do pardoned people still have a record?

A Pardon is an act of official forgiveness and is granted only in exceptional cases. It may serve as a means for the petitioner to advance in employment or education. A pardon does not expunge (remove) an offense from your record.

What happens to a criminal record after a pardon?

The California Constitution gives the Governor the right to pardon someone convicted of a crime in California. A pardon can restore some, but not all, rights lost due to a conviction. It does not erase or seal a record. California Constitution, Article 5, §8.

What crimes cannot be pardoned?

The President of the United States may pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the United States. They may also pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the District of Columbia. The president cannot grant pardons for violations of state laws.

What are the consequences of a pardon?

A pardon reaches both the punishment prescribed for the offence and the guilt of the offender; and when the pardon is full, it releases the punishment and blots out of existence the guilt [for the offense], so that in the eye of the law the offender is as innocent as if he had never committed the offence.

Is a convicted felon still a felon if he is pardoned?

No, a pardon forgives the conviction, but it usually doesn't erase the criminal record, meaning you're still legally a felon in some contexts, though a pardon restores rights like voting, holding office, or gun possession, and lessens the stigma, making it easier to get jobs or housing. A pardon signifies official forgiveness and removes penalties, but the conviction often remains visible on background checks unless the record is also expunged or sealed, which is a different legal process. 

Which is better, a pardon or expungement?

If you are pardoned for an offense, the government "forgives" you for your crime—but depending on the state, your criminal record may not be erased. On the other hand, if your record is expunged, it is "forgotten" for most purposes and likely sealed from public view.

Can the FBI see my expunged record?

A Level 2 FBI Background Check

A Level 2 check will even uncover those sealed or expunged records – especially if they involve the mistreatment of children, the elderly, or the disabled.

What is the best state for felons?

50-State Comparison: Limits on Use of Criminal Record in Employment, Licensing & Housing

• Utah. ...
• Vermont. ...
• Virgin Islands. ...
• Virginia. ...
• Washington. ...
• West Virginia. ...
• Wisconsin. ...
• Wyoming. Wyoming has no laws restricting consideration of criminal record in employment, including limits on application-stage employer inquiries.

How much does it cost for a felon to get their gun rights back?

Gun rights restoration services start as low as $750, depending on the state in which your record occurred. We understand that cost is an important factor in choosing an attorney and we strive to keep our prices fair to our clients.