It is traditional for the governor to grant pardons every year,and one of them this time was to a Nevada County man. Joseph Lidwell was sentenced to three years probation in 1989 for possession of marijuana for sale, and according to the pardon, since his release, has “lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen.” District Attorney Cliff Newell says being granted a pardon can really mean a lot…
A pardon means the crime is expunged from that person’s record. Governor Brown granted 91 pardons in 2015, but Newell says that’s about right in today’s world…
To be eligible for a pardon, the individual must apply, and have completed their sentences and released from custody for more than a decade without further criminal activity. One Placer County Man, Steven Raia, was also granted a pardon after serving 45 days in jail and three years probation from 2000 to 2003 for a similar offense (planting or cultivating marijuana).
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