SACRAMENTO – On Christmas Eve, Gov. Jerry Brown announced that he has granted 127 pardons.
The individuals granted pardons all completed their sentences and have been released from custody for more than a decade without further criminal activity. They include:
• Joseph Chiba Brown, a resident of California, was sentenced on or about Feb. 25, 1993, in Los Angeles County Superior Court for the crime of sale of a controlled substance. He served three years probation and was discharged on Feb. 9, 1996, having completed his sentence. He has obtained from the court an order dated May 24, 2001, evidencing that since his release from custody he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen.
• Thomas Kay Hamada, a resident of California, was sentenced on or about Oct. 22, 1993, in Sacramento County Superior Court for the crime of transportation, sale and distribution of a controlled substance. He served five years probation and was discharged on Oct. 22, 1998, having completed his sentence. He has obtained from Placer County Superior Court an order dated Oct. 28, 2010, evidencing that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen.
Individuals who have been convicted of a crime in California may apply to the governor for a pardon. Most applicants for a pardon have obtained a Certificate of Rehabilitation, which is an order from a superior court declaring that a person convicted of a crime is now rehabilitated. A gubernatorial pardon may be granted to people who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives following their conviction. Pardons are not granted unless they are earned.
When a pardon is granted, the California Department of Justice and the FBI are notified so that they may update their records on the applicant. The pardon is filed with the California Secretary of State’s Office and the Legislature, and it is a public record.