OVERVIEW

ABOUT THE PARDON PROJECT

In the summer of 2019, the Office of Governor Mike DeWine approached The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and the University of Akron School of Law to assist with creating a shortened pardon process for those who meet certain criteria. These universities, the Governor’s office, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction collaborated to chart a new path by which certain people may apply for a formal pardon from the Governor under Ohio’s laws. Based on the positive experiences with the project to date, the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project was expanded to include additional partners and increase the project’s capacity to serve those seeking an expedited pardon.

PROJECT PARTNERS

The Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project Partners consist of the Project Team, Service Providers, and Community Partners. Together, they work to increase awareness about and improve access to the expedited pardon application process.

The Project Team provides administrative oversight of the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project and includes staff and faculty of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and the Reentry Clinic at the University of Akron School of Law.

Service Providers assist applicants who have been accepted by the Project Team to participate in the expedited pardon project. Once accepted, a client is assigned to a Service Provider. Service Providers for the Ohio Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project include:

University of Akron School of Law

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

University of Dayton School of Law

Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Ohio Justice & Policy Center in partnership with the University of Cincinnati College of Law

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in applying to the Expedited Pardon Project.