PETITION FOR COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE

(Clemency Petition)

FEDERAL PETITION

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Through the Office of the Pardon Attorney
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

INTRODUCTION

This petition for executive clemency in the form of commutation of sentence is submitted pursuant to Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution and the regulations set forth in 28 C.F.R. Part 1. Petitioner respectfully requests that the President of the United States reduce the sentence currently being served for the federal conviction(s) described herein.

PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

Before submitting this petition, verify the following:

☐ Petitioner is currently serving a federal sentence
☐ This is a federal conviction (state convictions require petition to the Governor)
☐ Direct appeal has been completed or waived
☐ No other adequate judicial remedies are available, OR exceptional circumstances exist
☐ Petition is truthful and complete (false statements may result in prosecution)
☐ Petition explains why commutation is appropriate despite available judicial remedies

UNDERSTANDING COMMUTATION VS. PARDON

This petition seeks COMMUTATION of sentence.

PART I: PETITIONER INFORMATION

1. Full Legal Name:
_____________________________________________________________

2. Other Names Used:
_____________________________________________________________

3. BOP Register Number:
_____________________________________________________________

4. Current Institution:

5. Personal Information:

6. Pre-Incarceration Address:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

7. Emergency Contact:

PART II: CONVICTION AND SENTENCE INFORMATION

8. Federal Conviction(s) for Which Commutation Is Sought:

Conviction #1:

Offense(s):

Disposition:

☐ Guilty Plea
☐ Jury Verdict
☐ Bench Trial Verdict

9. Sentence Information:

10. Sentence Calculation:

PART III: DIRECT APPEAL AND POST-CONVICTION HISTORY

11. Direct Appeal:

12. Supreme Court Certiorari (if applicable):

13. Post-Conviction Proceedings:

14. If judicial remedies remain available, explain why you are seeking commutation:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART IV: REASONS FOR SEEKING COMMUTATION

15. Primary Grounds for Commutation Request:

Check all that apply and provide detailed explanation:

☐ Sentence Disparity: Sentence is excessive compared to co-defendants or current sentencing practices

☐ Change in Law: Law has changed since sentencing, but change is not retroactive

☐ Excessive Sentence: Sentence is disproportionate to offense conduct

☐ Mandatory Minimum: Subject to mandatory minimum that is unjust in this case

☐ First-Time Offender: No prior criminal history, yet received substantial sentence

☐ Medical Reasons: Serious medical condition warrants release

☐ Age: Advanced age makes continued incarceration unnecessary

☐ Rehabilitation: Exceptional rehabilitation demonstrates reduced sentence is appropriate

☐ Family Circumstances: Extraordinary family circumstances warrant release

☐ Time Served: Significant portion of sentence already served

☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF GROUNDS

16. Describe in detail why commutation is warranted:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

SENTENCE DISPARITY ANALYSIS (if applicable)

17. Co-Defendant Comparison:

18. How does your sentence compare to similarly situated defendants?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

19. If charged today, what sentence would you likely receive?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

CHANGE IN LAW (if applicable)

20. Describe the relevant change in law:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

21. Why has this change not been applied to your case?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

22. How would the change in law affect your sentence if applied?
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART V: OFFENSE DESCRIPTION

23. Brief Description of Offense Conduct:

Provide an accurate and complete description of the offense conduct, including your role:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

24. Acceptance of Responsibility:

Do you accept responsibility for your conduct?

☐ Yes
☐ No (explain): ______________________________________________

25. Statement of Remorse:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VI: INSTITUTIONAL CONDUCT

26. Disciplinary History:

☐ No disciplinary infractions

☐ Disciplinary infractions as follows:

27. Programs Completed:

28. Educational Achievements:

29. Work Assignments:

30. Positive Institutional Conduct:

Describe other evidence of rehabilitation, good conduct, and positive contributions:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART VII: RELEASE PLAN

31. Proposed Release Residence:

32. Employment Plans:

33. Support System:

Describe family, community, and other support available upon release:

_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

34. Medical Care (if applicable):

PART VIII: CRIMINAL HISTORY

35. Prior Criminal History:

List ALL prior arrests, charges, and convictions (including state, local, and juvenile):

☐ No prior criminal history before this conviction

PART IX: CHARACTER REFERENCES

36. Character References:

Provide references who can attest to your character, rehabilitation, and suitability for release:

Reference #1:

Reference #2:

Reference #3:

37. Letters of Support Attached:

☐ Yes - Number of letters: _____
☐ To be submitted separately

PART X: SPECIFIC COMMUTATION REQUESTED

38. Type of Commutation Requested:

☐ Commutation to time served (immediate release)
☐ Commutation to a specific term: _______ years/months
☐ Commutation to home confinement for remainder of sentence
☐ Commutation of supervised release term to: _______
☐ Other: _____________________________________________________

39. If not requesting time served, explain the specific term requested:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

PART XI: AUTHORIZATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

40. Authorization:

By signing below, I authorize the release of information to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, FBI, and other federal investigators from:

• Bureau of Prisons (institutional records, medical records)
• Courts and law enforcement agencies
• Probation and parole offices
• Previous employers
• Medical and mental health professionals
• Any other relevant sources

41. Acknowledgments:

☐ I understand this petition will be thoroughly investigated

☐ I understand the investigation may take several years

☐ I understand victims may be contacted

☐ I understand the President has sole discretion to grant or deny clemency

☐ I understand making false statements may result in prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1001

☐ I understand I may reapply one year after a denial

PART XII: VERIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

I, _________________________________, declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

_________________________________
Petitioner's Signature

_________________________________
Printed Name

_________________________________
BOP Register Number

_________________________________
Date

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California

• Commutation power rests with Governor
• Apply to Board of Parole Hearings
• Board investigates and makes recommendation
• Governor cannot commute sentence of person twice convicted of felony without Supreme Court approval
• California Constitution, Article V, Section 8

Texas

• Governor may grant commutation only on recommendation of Board of Pardons and Paroles
• Must apply to Board of Pardons and Paroles first
• Board recommends; Governor decides
• Texas Constitution, Article IV, Section 11
• Apply at www.tdcj.texas.gov

Florida

• Governor and Cabinet sit as Executive Clemency Board
• Apply to Florida Commission on Offender Review
• Different rules for different offense categories
• Florida Rules of Executive Clemency
• Florida Constitution, Article IV, Section 8

New York

• Governor has exclusive commutation power
• Apply through Executive Chamber, Counsel's Office
• No fixed eligibility requirements
• New York Constitution, Article IV, Section 4
• Consider filing when significant portion of sentence served

FACTORS CONSIDERED IN COMMUTATION DECISIONS

ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

☐ Judgment and Commitment Order
☐ Indictment or Information
☐ Plea Agreement (if applicable)
☐ Sentencing Transcript (if available)
☐ Presentence Investigation Report (if available)
☐ Appellate Court Decision(s)
☐ BOP Institutional Record
☐ Program Completion Certificates
☐ Educational Achievement Documentation
☐ Medical Records (if medical claim)
☐ Letters of Support
☐ Release Plan Documentation
☐ Employment Verification
☐ Housing Verification

CONTACT INFORMATION

Federal Clemency:
Office of the Pardon Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530
Phone: (202) 616-6070
Website: www.justice.gov/pardon

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. No Hearing: There is no hearing on clemency petitions. The decision is based on the written record.

2. Timeline: Federal clemency investigations typically take 2-5+ years.

3. Victim Input: Victims may be contacted and given opportunity to provide input.

4. Reapplication: If denied, you may reapply after one year.

5. Conviction Remains: A commutation reduces the sentence but does not erase the conviction.

6. Supervised Release: Commutation may or may not affect supervised release terms.

7. Conditions: Commutation may be conditional (e.g., requirement to maintain employment, not possess firearms).

This template is based on federal commutation petition requirements under 28 C.F.R. Part 1. For state commutation petitions, contact the appropriate state agency. Requirements vary significantly by state.