Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
Clemency
What is Clemency?
The governor has the authority to grant clemency upon the written recommendation of a majority of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Clemency includes full pardons after conviction or successful completion of a term of deferred adjudication community supervision, conditional pardons, pardons based on innocence, commutations of sentence, and reprieves. In capital cases, clemency includes a commutation of sentence to life in prison and a reprieve of execution. The governor may also grant a one-time reprieve of execution, not to exceed 30 days, without a board recommendation.
Updated 11/13/2025