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TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced that he is granting clemency to 36 individuals, including 33 pardons and three commutations. Today’s announcement marks Governor Murphy’s first exercise of his pardon power.
Today’s actions build on the Governor’s efforts to address unfairness that has existed in the criminal legal system and his commitment to ensuring that individuals involved in the justice system have a second chance to rebuild their lives.
“Today, we rededicate ourselves to ensuring that New Jersey is the state for second chances,” said Governor Murphy. “ I am proud to announce that through our historic clemency initiative, 36 individuals will be granted legal relief, either in the form of a full pardon, or by having their criminal sentence commuted. It is my honor as Governor to recognize the efforts each of them have made to prove that, in this country, redemption is achievable. As we approach the final year of our Administration, we will continue embracing a fair, impartial, and balanced approach for granting legal relief to New Jerseyans who have earned a second chance.”
“Today, thanks to Governor Murphy, and the thorough work of the Clemency Advisory Board, our state has taken another step towards creating a more equitable and fair justice system, and 36 individuals have the opportunity to turn their lives around,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way. “As a former judge, I am proud to be a part of an Administration that understands justice is not just about punishment, it is also about rehabilitation and second chances.
On June 19, 2024, Governor Murphy announced a new clemency initiative through Executive Order No. 362. The Executive Order established a Clemency Advisory Board – the first of its kind in state history – to provide recommendations on individual applications for pardons and commutations. It also set out certain categories of applications that would receive expedited review by the Clemency Advisory Board during the Murphy Administration.
Examples of those receiving expedited consideration for pardons include individuals who committed certain non-violent crimes who have remained free from criminal justice system involvement for sufficient time. For commutations, individuals may receive expedited consideration if they are serving sentences that reflect an excessive trial penalty, or if they are victims of domestic or sexual violence or sex trafficking.
The individuals granted clemency by Governor Murphy today underwent an extensive review process, which included consideration by the Clemency Advisory Board. In addition, the process included more robust victim outreach than in prior administrations, ensuring that efforts were made to contact victims, solicit their input, and connect them with support services if desired. This process was designed to ensure that the Governor’s decisions regarding pardons and commutations are informed by the advice of individuals with diverse experiences and expertise relating to criminal justice and clemency, as well as by the perspectives of those impacted by crime.
This group of pardon recipients includes veterans of the U.S. military, faith leaders, small business owners, and people who work or volunteer in settings where they provide support for individuals with substance use disorders or with criminal histories. All pardon recipients have been free from criminal justice system involvement for more than 10 years.
New Jersey’s Constitution gives the Governor broad discretion to issue pardons and commutations to individuals for state criminal convictions. A pardon does not erase the facts underlying a criminal conviction, but rather officially forgives the recipient and relieves them of certain collateral consequences that flow from a conviction. Unlike a pardon, a commutation does not forgive the recipient for their conduct, but reduces the sentence they are currently serving.
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