Twenty years of clean living after a felony conviction is exactly the kind of track record that pardon boards and expungement statutes are designed to recognize. The fact that you have stayed out of trouble since completing the sentence is the single most important factor in any application for relief, and you have it in abundance.
The three main pathways worth exploring are expungement, record sealing, and a governor's pardon, and which of those is available depends on your state and the nature of the original charge.
Expungement is the most common form of relief and essentially removes the conviction from your public record, though the process and eligibility vary significantly by state. Some states allow felony expungements after a waiting period with no subsequent offenses. Others limit expungement to misdemeanors or specific felony categories. A few states have recently expanded eligibility significantly through clean slate legislation that automates expungement for qualifying convictions after a set period.
Record sealing is a related but distinct option available in some states where the conviction remains on record but is hidden from most public searches, including standard background checks conducted by employers and landlords.
A governor's pardon is a more formal and typically more difficult process but carries significant weight. It does not erase the record but represents an official recognition that the person has rehabilitated and is restored to good standing. Some states use pardons as a pathway to restoring civil rights such as voting and firearm eligibility that were lost with the felony conviction.
An attorney specializing in post-conviction relief in your state can assess the specific charge, review what options are currently available under state law, and walk you through the application process. Twenty years of clean living deserves a fresh start and the legal tools to pursue one.
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