Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments

Clemency Board

Executive Office of the Mayor - Washington, DC - Volunteer

Total public members:5
Method of Appointment:Appointed by Mayor, confirmed by Council
Length of Appointment:4 years
Residency: DC residency required
Paid board:No (all roles are voluntary)


Description:
There is established a Clemency Board within the Executive Office of the Mayor to review the applications of individuals convicted of violating District laws or regulations and determine which applicants to recommend to the President of the United States for clemency. The EOM's General Counsel shall provide staff, office space, and administrative support to the Board.

The Board shall:

  • Develop criteria and an application for clemency recommendations and publicize the application procedure;
  • Review each application and determine, within 6 months after a complete application is received, whether to recommend the application to the President of the United States;
  • Consider both cases of actual innocence and cases of those who are remorseful and can show that they have been rehabilitated;
  • Give special consideration to applicants who are terminally ill or elderly, or who no longer present a danger to the community;
  • Develop criteria for the consideration of an applicant's background, which may include procedures by which the Board obtains information from outside organizations with which the applicant has interacted;
  • Whenever feasible, conduct in-person, telephone, or video conference hearings with applicants;
  • Allow applicants to have access to an attorney or non-attorney representative at any hearing before the Board;
  • When the Board decides to recommend an application to the President of the United States:
    • Send the application, along with a narrative describing why the Board recommended the application, to the Office of the Pardon Attorney and to the President of the United States; and
    • Provide notification, to include the applicant's name, to the Chairman of the Council and the chairperson of the Council committee with jurisdiction over judiciary matters; and
  • Track and publish the number of applications the Board grants and denies, including the number of applications recommended to the President of the United States, in an annual report to the Council and on the EOM's website; provided, that the annual report shall exclude personally identifiable information.

Membership:

The Board consists of the following members:

  • Five (5) District residents appointed by the Mayor with the following qualifications:
    1. Member who is a returning citizen
    2. Mental health professional
    3. Member with background in victims rights or services
    4. Member of the District of Columbia Bar in good standing, with experience in criminal law
    5. District of Columbia resident community member
  • The Attorney General for the District of Columbia, or the Attorney General's designee
  • The chairperson of the Council committee with jurisdiction over judiciary and public safety matters, or the chairperson's designee
Additionally, the Mayor shall invite the following to participate as members of the Board:
  • Director of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, or the Director's designee
  • The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, or the United States Attorney's designee
 

Time Commitment:
The Board meets monthly.

To be considered for one of the five seats appointed by the Mayor, please complete the attached application. 

Apply: Clemency Board
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Boards and Commissions members are appointed by Mayor Bowser and serve as members of the Bowser Administration. Please tell us why you're interested in being appointed by Mayor Bowser and serving in her administration.*
Please explain why you are interested in and particularly suited to serve on this DC board or commission in the Bowser Administration.*
Many boards and commissions have seats designated for people with specific expertise or experience. Of the public member seats appointed by the Mayor and listed in the posting as designated for individuals with specific expertise or experiences (if any), which would you like to be considered for?*
Most District of Columbia Boards or Commissions are VOLUNTEER boards with community members seeking to engage in civic participation being appointed to non-paid positions serving our District communities. Unless specifically stated, this is a VOLUNTEER position.

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Diversity and Inclusion: Please check all that apply.

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