Governor's Pardon Advisory Board hears dozens of applicants, then moves into closed session

Mel Barnes, the governor's chief legal counsel and chair of the Governor's Pardon Advisory Board, opened a virtual hearing streamed on Wisconsin Eye and YouTube and explained the format: each applicant should briefly summarize the offense, explain what they have done since completing their sentence, and say why they seek a pardon. "We're not here to retry the crime. You don't need to minimize your involvement," Barnes told applicants.

The board heard sequential testimony from applicants who described a range of convictions — including drug, property, and violence-related offenses — and described steps they said they had taken since, such as steady employment, volunteer service, education, recovery programs and caregiving. Applicants repeatedly framed a pardon as a practical tool to remove employment and licensing barriers, restore firearm or hunting privileges, and ease family or housing difficulties.

Board members pressed applicants for specific supporting evidence. "Letters of support from employers, family and neighbors are encouraged," Cindy O'Donnell said repeatedly during the hearing, asking applicants why many had not submitted endorsements. Judge Jeffrey Kremers and other members also questioned applicants about subsequent contacts with law enforcement, outstanding civil liabilities, or omissions in applications; in several cases applicants acknowledged they had not included letters or had left sections blank because they were unfamiliar with the process.

Several applicants described formal rehabilitation steps and ongoing community involvement. For example, one applicant told the panel he had completed community-service hours and continued volunteering at a local food pantry; another described long-term stable employment after earlier convictions. Others described personal struggles — disability, bereavement, addiction and family instability — and said they had taken training or counseling. A number of applicants said they hoped a pardon would allow them to work in licensed professions or participate in family hunting traditions that require firearm privileges.

The public portion ended with a formal motion to move into closed session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(a), (d) and (f) "for purposes of deliberations concerning specific cases before the board and considering financial, medical, social and or personal histories of specific persons." Judge Jeffrey Kremers made the motion; Cindy O'Donnell seconded it and the motion carried. Barnes reminded applicants that the board needs a majority of members present to forward an application to the governor, and that applicants should expect to hear an outcome in about a month to two months.

The board's next step is its closed deliberations and vote. If the board votes to forward an application, the governor will make the final decision. The hearing record — including applicants' statements, letters and the board's deliberations — will be used to inform the advisory recommendation to the governor.