To: The Maryland State House, The Maryland State Senate, and Governor Larry Hogan
Forgivance and A Second Chance
Establish a non-political, non-partisan Board or Committee to grant pardons to first time, non-violent convicted felons. The felon, after five years with no other convictions, who has not committed or been charged with any crime nor has any pending criminal charges would submit an application to the Board, pay for the cost of the
Board doing an in depth investigation with strict criteria as to their criminal activity before granting a pardon. By expunging the felony conviction and restoring full civil rights the person has a second chance, and will not be viewed as a second class citizen.
Why is this important?
First time, non-violent felony convictions actually are a life sentence hampering the person from getting a job, a place to live, getting credit, etc. Establish an independent, non partisan, non-political committee to do in depth investigations and grant pardons, thus relieving the Governor of the burden of political backlash and giving the convicted felon who has paid his debt to society a second chance.