(AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown is granting 59 pardons, in keeping with his tradition of giving pardons to convicted offenders around major Christian holidays including Easter.
All those granted Good Friday pardons have already completed their sentences. Most were originally convicted of nonviolent drug or property crimes.
None are as high-profile as actor Robert Downey Jr., whom Brown pardoned before Christmas.
The Democratic governor is a former Jesuit seminarian. He says in a statement that the pardons recognize that people can turn their lives around after making mistakes.
A gubernatorial pardon does not erase a conviction. However, state and federal law enforcement agencies are informed and the pardon becomes a public record.
California's longest-serving governor has issued more than 1,100 pardons, including about 400 during his first two terms decades ago.
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