Shaped By Her Past

Few people have been able to turn their lives around as fully or successfully as Stephanie. She’ll be the first to admit that she made mistakes when she was young, but she learned from them. In the years since completing her prison sentence, she’s never felt like her record held her back. She’s an open book about how her past shaped who she is now so until recently, she never considered pursuing a pardon.

“I’ve had the same job for 11 years now. My customers are like a second family to me. They all know my history. A lot of people have asked why I’m so open about my past, but it’s what made me me. I didn’t really foresee needing a pardon for anything because my record is what made me who I am today. I’m not that same person. I’ve changed.”

When Stephanie got the opportunity to purchase the convenience store she works at, she confronted the first real roadblock from her record: she needs a license from the Oklahoma ABLE Commission to sell alcohol at her store, but they won’t issue liquor licenses to people with felony convictions. 

“I’ve always wanted to own a business, but with the felonies in the way, I would not have that opportunity.” 

Working with Clean Slate

Unwilling to let go of her dream of owning a business, Stephanie started researching solutions on the internet. She came across Clean Slate Law and reached out to our attorney, Riley Mulinix.

“He was very helpful and answered all of my questions. He was always upfront and honest with me, and stayed in contact via email and phone calls to let me know what was going on with every step.”

Though Clean Slate Law offered her the option of meeting by video, she said she always preferred to come into the office. “I can understand a person a lot better face-to-face. [Riley] made me feel like nothing was a stupid question because you just don’t know what you don’t know.”

The Pardon Process

As part of the pardon process, we ask our clients to seek character affidavits. 

According to Stephanie, asking people to write affidavits for her was one of the best things she’s ever done in her life.

“I was able to see how people look at me as a person, even knowing my history.”

When word started to spread that she was seeking the affidavits, she had several community leaders and law enforcement officers approach her to ask if they could write one on her behalf. 

After gathering her affidavits, our team helped her fill out her Pardon Application and appeared with her at her Pardon Hearing. Per the Pardon and Parole Board’s recommendation, her application was sent to the Governor for consideration. 

Living Her Life to the Fullest

Within about ten months from the date of her first meeting with our team, Stephanie had her pardon signed by Governor Stitt. Now, she’s free to move forward with her future as an entrepreneur. 

For the first time in her adult life, she feels like she’s a “full US citizen” because she has access to rights she never had the chance to exercise before. Within the next few months, she’ll officially be a business owner.

Congratulations, Stephanie! 

If you’re interested in learning whether a pardon can help you move forward with living your life to the fullest, please get in touch with our team for a free case review.