TEXAS BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES
A full pardon restores certain citizenship rights forfeited upon criminal conviction, such as the right to serve on a jury, to hold public office, and to serve as executor or administrator of an estate. In Texas, when a person discharges a felony sentence the right to vote is automatically restored.
A full pardon will remove barriers to some, but not all types of employment and professional licensing. Licenses are granted at the discretion of state licensing boards for each profession, and requirements for restoring licensing eligibility in a particular field should be obtained from that licensing board. A pardon will not restore eligibility to become a licensed peace officer in Texas.
A full pardon will not be considered for an offender while in prison except when exceptional circumstances exist.
A person receiving a full pardon after a conviction is entitled to an expunction of all arrest records relating to the conviction. This requires the applicant to request an expunction from the appropriate state court.
Updated 02/13/2017
