Penal Code section 4852.16

(a)

The certified copy of a certificate of rehabilitation transmitted to the Governor shall constitute an application for a full pardon upon receipt of which the Governor may, without any further investigation, issue a pardon to the person named therein, except that, pursuant to Section 8 of Article V of the Constitution, the Governor shall not grant a pardon to any person twice convicted of felony, except upon the written recommendation of a majority of the judges of the Supreme Court.

(b)

Subject to criteria established by the Governor, a certificate of rehabilitation issued by a court shall be reviewed by the Board of Parole Hearings within one year of receipt of the certificate, which shall issue a recommendation as to whether the Governor should pardon that individual. Any criteria established by the Governor shall be made publicly available, but shall be otherwise exempt from the requirements of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

Source: Section 4852.16, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=4852.­16.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2019; accessed Sep. 7, 2026).

Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Sep. 7, 2026

§ 4852.16's source at ca​.gov