Political junkies may remember that on the TV show, The West Wing, President Josiah Bartlet gave Toby Zeigler a pardon. I believe it was the last official act by President Bartlet. I loved that show.

The final weeks of a President’s term are always some of the most interesting because of rumors flying around about Presidential pardons and commutations. Who will get one, who wants one, and what criminal act did they commit. Interesting stuff. Sometimes it is friends rewarding friends. Other times it rights a wrong.

The President can pardon or commute sentences at any time throughout their term (remember Scooter), but some of the juicer ones are done at the end because the President will be gone, and he won’t have to answer questions about it.

So, since we’re approaching the end of the President Bush’s term, if you are going to seek a pardon or commutation from him before he leaves office it’s time to get your ducks in a row. Time is wasting!

Of course, the information is available on the Internet! The best place to start is checking out the rules listed on the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s Website. The Application Forms are available on the website, too.

January 20 is fast approaching. Good luck!