323 second chances: Ohio's fast-track pardon project hits a milestone

Governor Mike DeWine has signed 323 pardons through the expedited pardon project he created in December 2019 — with 340 more applications in the pipeline. The program is for people convicted of low-level, non-violent crimes who rebuilt their lives: applicants must have gone at least ten crime-free years after finishing their sentence, made good-faith efforts to pay fines and restitution, and be working or serving their community. Law-school clinics in Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo prepare the applications. 'Those who've truly reformed their lives deserve a second chance,' DeWine said.