Click here for printer-friendly version

Applicable form of Executive Clemency: Commutation of Sentence

Eligibility: Any person who has been convicted of an offense against the laws of the State of Nebraska, except for treason or cases of impeachment, may submit an application to the Nebraska Board of Pardons on the form prescribed by the Board.

Application Process: Applications are available upon request by contacting:

Nebraska Board of Pardons
P.O. Box 94754
Lincoln, NE 68509-4754
Tel: (402) 471-2156
Fax: (402)471-2453

Click here to see the clemency application.

Click here to view The Nebraska Pardon Board's Policy and Procedure Guidelines.

An application will not be accepted without the applicant's signature.

When an application is filed, the Board conducts a thorough investigation of the case, determines if the application is accepted, and if accepted, sets the case for a public hearing. The Board may grant or deny an application without a hearing, although the Board's general policy is not to grant a commutation of sentence without a hearing.

The Board meets quarterly for hearings, usually in March, June, September, and December of each year. Specific dates are determined following each meeting for the next quarterly hearing.

If a hearing is granted for an applicant, the Board has the right to proceed without the applicant in attendance. An attorney for the applicant and any other witnesses who wish to testify in support or opposition to the applicant may be present. Hearings of the Board of Pardons are public. A notice will appear in state and county newspapers, and the press may attend.

The Board may grant a hearing to hear testimony and receive written statements, and other information pertaining to the case, that supports or opposes the applicant's clemency request. It is not, however, the purpose of the hearing to retry the case or determine guilt of innocence.