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South Carolina Pardon One Pager

Many convictions may not be eligible for expungement, but there is a different option. A pardon is the State’s forgiveness of a person for all the legal consequences of a crime. The conviction WILL still show up on your criminal record, but it will be marked as “pardoned.”

There are certain rights that can only be restored through the pardon process (those rights will NOT be restored through the expungement process), such as your right to own and possess a firearm. If you have questions regarding the restoration of certain rights, you should speak with a lawyer.

To be eligible, you must have finished your sentence, including completion of probation or parole, and have no new arrests or convictions for a significant period – we generally recommend five (5) years. All fines and fees (including restitution) must be paid in full.

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