Minnesota pardons bring 2nd chances, clear stains

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Nine people have won Minnesota pardons for crimes committed years ago.

A board comprised of the governor, the attorney general and Supreme Court chief justice issued the pardons Wednesday. The decisions effectively nullify convictions and with rare exceptions absolve offenders of responsibility to disclose them. Pardon seekers must have completed any sentence to be eligible.

The board granted pardons for convictions of theft, drug crimes and disorderly conduct — some dating to the 1970s.

Eight people had requests denied because their offenses were deemed too severe or there were questions about whether applicants had done enough to accept responsibility for their crimes.

The three leaders heard from applicants who said pardons would remove job obstacles or would ease the embarrassment of youthful indiscretions that stained records long into adulthood.