Governor issues executive clemency to 19 individuals

SANTA FE (KSMX)- Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday issued the first pardons of her administration, invoking her power of executive clemency for 19 individuals convicted of crimes in New Mexico.

These are the first pardons issued in the state since 2012, according to reporting by New Mexico In Depth.

The forgiven offenses committed by the individuals included forgery, drug possession, burglary, larceny, issuing a worthless check and conspiracy, among others. All of the offenses were at least a decade old, the most recent having occurred in 2007; some dated back several decades.

The majority of the applicants provided clemency by Gov. Lujan Grisham had also previously applied for pardons under the previous administrations of Susana Martinez or Bill Richardson.

The governor’s pardoning power extends to all offenses committed under state law other than the offenses of impeachment and treason. The governor does not have authority to pardon convictions for violations of municipal ordinances or convictions from another jurisdiction, such as convictions from other states and convictions under federal law.