Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert will have the ability to extend more pardons to people convicted of crimes.
On Tuesday, the Omaha City Council approved new pardon powers for the mayor. Stothert will now be able to pardon convicts of almost any misdemeanor criminal offense prosecuted under city code. Previously, the mayor's pardoning power was limited to offenses like trespassing, prostitution and disorderly conduct.
In 2017 the Mayor’s office reviewed 54 pardon applications. Of those 54 requests, 38 of those were denied and sixteen were recommended for pardon.
The legal effect of a pardon does not erase or expunge the conviction, it is simply an act of formal forgiveness by the mayor.