1. A. All Applicants

   1. 1. Every application must be submitted on the form approved by the Board of Pardons which is made available on the board's webpage at www.doc.la.gov.
   2. 2. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit a complete application. The application shall not be processed until it is complete. If any required information does not apply, the response should be “N/A”.
   3. 3. Each answer must be answered fully, truthfully, and accurately. The submission of any false information is grounds for immediate denial of the application.
   4. 4. Additional documentation relevant to the application may also be submitted, including letters of support on behalf of the applicant, military DD-214 if applicable, and other attachments that the applicant would like to include.
   5. 5. The mailed application must be filled out completely, signed, dated, and notarized where required.
   6. 6. The online application must be digitally signed and submitted through the website.

2. B. In addition to the information submitted by application, the following required documents must be attached as they apply to each applicant.

   1. 1. Incarcerated Applicants. Applicants currently confined in a facility must attach a current master prison record and have the signature of a classification officer verifying the applicant's conduct and a copy of the conduct report. Applicants sentenced to death must attach proof of direct appeal denial.
   2. 2. Parolees. Applicants who have completed parole supervision must attach a copy of their parole certificate, a certified judgment, and sentence on each conviction for which they are applying for a pardon; a certified statement from the clerk of court that all fines, fees, and court costs (including restitution and parole fees) have been paid in full; a current credit report (current within 90 days of date of application), proof of income, and proof of residence.
   3. 3. Probationers. Applicants who have completed the probationary period must attach a certified copy of sentencing minutes or copy of automatic first offender pardon, a certified judgment and sentence on each conviction for which they are applying for a pardon; a certified statement from the clerk of court that all fines, fees, and court costs (including restitution and probation fees) have been paid in full; a current credit report (current within 90 days of date of application), proof of income, and proof of residence.
   4. 4. First Offender Pardons [R.S. 15:572(B)]. Applicants who have received an automatic first offender pardon must attach a copy of the automatic first offender pardon.
3. C. No additional information or documents may be submitted until the applicant has been notified that he or she qualifies for a hearing. The Board of Pardons will not be responsible for items submitted prior to notification that a hearing will be scheduled.

4. D. Reapplication upon Denial. Any applicant denied by the board shall be notified, in writing, of the reason(s) for the denial and thereafter may file a new application as indicated below.

   1. 1. Applicants with a life sentence may reapply five years after the initial denial and every five years thereafter. The applicant must also meet the criteria stated in §203.C.3.-4d.
   2. 2. Applicants without a life sentence may reapply five years after the initial denial and every two years thereafter. If incarcerated, the applicant must also meet the criteria stated in §203.C.1-2.d.
   3. 3. Fraudulent Documents or Information. Any fraudulent documents or information submitted by an applicant will result in an automatic denial by the board and no new application will be accepted until five years have elapsed from the date of the letter of denial.

   4. 4. Favorable Recommendation. When the board notifies the governor that it has granted a favorable recommendation of an application for pardon or commutation of sentence, the board shall also provide simultaneous notice to the applicant that a favorable recommendation has been sent to the governor for consideration.

      1. a. The governor will notify the following individuals at least 30 days before commuting a criminal sentence or granting a pardon to any person:

         1. i. the attorney general, district attorney, the sheriff of the parish in which the applicant was convicted, and, in Orleans Parish, the superintendent of police; and
         2. ii. the victim or the spouse or next of kin of the deceased victim.

5. E. Governor’s Action. The law requires the governor to grant or deny a favorable recommendation for clemency prior to leaving office or upon expiration of their term of office.

   1. 1. The governor’s office will notify an applicant if any clemency is granted. Any otherwise eligible person who has been granted any form of executive clemency by the governor may not reapply for further executive clemency for at least five years from the date that such action became final.

   2. 2. Denial by Governor after Favorable Recommendation.

      1. a. The board shall notify an applicant after the governor’s office notifies the board that its favorable recommendation was denied.
      2. b. If the applicant is denied by the governor, the applicant may not reapply for clemency for at least five years from the date of the denial. The application filing procedures in Subsections A-D.3. of this Section shall apply.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 15:573.1, 15:574.12 and 44:1 et seq.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Board of Pardons, LR 39:2255 (August 2013), amended by the Office of the Governor, Board of Pardons, Committee on Parole, LR 41:42 (January 2015), amended by the Office of the Governor, Board of Pardons, LR 42:1087 (July 2016), LR 43:1161 (June 2017), LR 45:1063 (August 2019), LR 47:358 (March 2021), LR 51:294 (February 2025).