Under
the Constitution, the President has the authority to commute, or reduce, a sentence
imposed upon conviction of a federal offense, including for convictions
obtained in the United States District Courts and the Superior Court of the District
of Columbia.
The
President cannot commute a sentence for a state criminal offense. Accordingly,
if you are seeking clemency for a state criminal conviction, you should not complete
and submit this petition. Instead, you should contact the Governor or other
appropriate authorities of the state where the conviction occurred (e.g., the
state board of pardons and paroles) to determine whether any relief is available
to you under state law.
