2025 Session Last amended: 2023 session

§ 609A.035 — Pardon Extraordinary; No Petition Required

Plain-Language Summary

This section provides a special automatic expungement process for people who receive a pardon extraordinary from the Minnesota Board of Pardons. When the Board of Pardons grants this type of pardon, it files a copy with the district court, and the court must then issue an expungement order sealing all records related to the pardoned offense — without any need for the person to file a petition. The expungement order is sent to every government agency that has records of the case.

609A.035 PARDON EXTRAORDINARY; NO PETITION REQUIRED.

(a) Notwithstanding section 609A.02, if the Board of Pardons grants a pardon pursuant to section 638.17, it shall file a copy of the pardon extraordinary with the district court of the county in which the conviction occurred.

(b) The district court shall issue an expungement order sealing all records wherever held relating to the arrest, indictment or information, trial, verdict, and pardon for the pardoned offense without the filing of a petition and send an expungement order to each government entity whose records are affected.

History:

2023 c 52 art 7 s 18

History: History:

  2023 c 52 art 7 s 18

Practical Notes

A pardon extraordinary is different from a regular pardon — it is a rare, exceptional form of clemency. People who receive one do not need to separately petition for expungement; the court acts automatically. This means all arrest, trial, and conviction records related to the pardoned offense are sealed across every government agency, not just the court. Recipients should keep a copy of their pardon documentation for any background check situations that may arise.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes