Gov. Evers Issues 96 More Pardons, Breaks Record Set By WI Governors

WISCONSIN — Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, announced 96 more pardons on Friday as an act of forgiveness to restore the rights people lose when convicted of a felony.

The move brings the governor's total number of pardons issued to 1,029, breaking the previous record set by former Wisconsin Governor Julius Heil between 1939 and 1943, according to a news release from Evers.

“Since re-establishing the pardon process during my first term in office, it’s been a privilege to hear about the lives, hard work, and contributions of so many to overcome their past mistakes, seek redemption and forgiveness, and give back to their communities,” said Evers in a news release. “Hearing about these individuals’ stories and their efforts to make amends has been extraordinary. I’m grateful for the work of the Pardon Advisory Board and my administration to give these 1,029 individuals a second chance, and I look forward to continuing this critical work in the years ahead.”

Wisconsin governors have the power to pardon people convicted of crimes in the forgiveness and restoration of their rights lost by a felony conviction, which include the right to serve on a jury, hold public office and to obtain certain professional licenses. The move does not expunge court records, though, according to Evers' news release.

People can apply for pardons if their sentence was finished at least five years prior and they are not subject to any pending criminal charges or required to register on the sex offender registry list, the news release said.

Many of the people who were part of the governor's latest round of pardons were convicted years ago, often on controlled substances charges, a list of the pardons shows.