Governor Murphy Issues More Prisoner Pardons in New Jersey

This week, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy issued additional pardons for prison inmates and former inmates in the Garden State. According to Patch, the Governor "has greenlighted a total of 307 clemency actions since June 2024. The governor's office has received more than 4,500 applications – with most taking place after that time."

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This week, Governor Murphy pardoned 15, and in addition, seven commutations from parole supervision and two commutations from incarceration.

Of the pardons this week, there were some who were convicted of serious crimes here in New Jersey. Including:

• Robbery
• Distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in a school zone
• Possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance
• Endangering the welfare of a child
• Unlawful possession of a weapon
• Murder
• Leader of narcotics ring
• Leader of Narcotics Trafficking Network

When Does Governor Phil Murphy's Time As New Jersey Governor End?

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s current term as governor runs through January 2026. He was first sworn in on January 16, 2018, won reelection in 2021, and because New Jersey governors are limited to two consecutive four-year terms, he will end his time in January. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill will be sworn in as the 57th Governor of New Jersey on January 20, 2026.

In New Jersey, the governor has the ability to step in and show mercy in criminal cases. That means the governor can pardon someone, shorten a prison sentence, delay punishment, or even wipe out certain fines tied to a state conviction. A pardon doesn’t erase history, but it does forgive the conviction and can restore important rights. There are limits to the governor can’t pardon impeachment cases, and these decisions usually come after advice from the State Parole Board, not on a whim.