WE RESPOND TO YOUR NEEDS 414-271-1440
Pardon Requests Being Made to Wisconsin Governor’s Office
The news that pardons will once again be granted in Wisconsin has gotten out, and pardon applications have begun rolling in. It is expected that once the Pardon Advisory Board is fully filled, even more pardon requests will be received by the state.
The Pardon Advisory Board reviews pardon applications and makes recommendations to the Governor. Some of those seeking pardons ask for commutation of a sentence, while others have served their sentences and want to receive a pardon in order to be able to move on with their lives. Pardons typically restore all civil litigation that were affected by the conviction, such as the right to vote, serve on a jury, possess a firearm, hold certain professional licenses, and run for office.
Why Are Pardons Now an Option?
The new Wisconsin governor, Tony Evers, has recently announced that his office will entertain pardon requests. The prior governor, Scott Walker, had placed a moratorium on considering any pardons.
Former Governor Walker said he believed that the criminal justice system was the best arbiter of justice, and he did not want to disrupt that process. Governor Evers has stated that he views pardons as one way to bring reform to the criminal justice system.
One High-Profile Pardon Request Has Been Lodged
The lawyer for Laurie “Bambi” Bembenek has sought a posthumous pardon from the office of Governor Evers. In the early 1980s, Bembenek was accused and found guilty of killing her husband’s ex-wife. The news story garnered national headlines due to Bembenek’s job as a Milwaukee police officer and her previous stint as a Playboy Club waitress.
While in prison, Bembenek escaped and was re-apprehended, further adding intrigue to her story and giving rise to the nickname “Bambi.” Throughout her life and on her deathbed, she maintained her innocence. Her attorney also believes in her innocence and has stated that new DNA and ballistics evidence will clear her client.
Contact a Milwaukee Criminal Pardon Lawyer
If you have been convicted of a crime and are interested in getting a pardon, you should seek legal counsel from the law firm of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP. Our attorneys will be able to review your case and determine if you are a good candidate for a pardon under the new administration.
This area of law is rapidly changing, and you need our highly-skilled Milwaukee, WI pardon attorneys on your side when making your case to the board. Because the volume of pardons could be high, your application must be compelling and properly filed. Call our offices today at 414-271-1440 to learn more information.
Sources:
https://www.wearegreenbay.com/news/local-news/hope-for-gubernatorial-pardons-renewed-in-wisconsin/1873928785
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin/articles/2019-03-19/attorney-seeks-pardon-for-laurie-bembenek-murder-conviction
