What is an amnesty?

Amnesty is the erasure of certain convictions which are listed in criminal record.

This erasure is decided by a law especially voted for by Parliament.

This is a general and collective measure, unlike the presidential pardon, which is an individual measure.

Erasure benefits all people who have committed one or more categories of infringements referred to in the amnesty law.

If you're one of the people who is subject to an amnesty law, then you are found innocent for the acts which led to the convictions targeted by law.

Those who may benefit from the amnesty are not not individually notified of this measure.

If an amnesty law is passed and you want to know if you can benefit from it, you must inform yourself. You can:

• Search for relevant text on the Légifrance website. You can type the phrase " amnesty’ in the search by words space you will find all relevant texts.
• Ask to consult your criminal record. If the amnesty has already been implemented by the services of the Ministry of Justice, the convictions concerned will no longer appear in your record.
• Seek advice in a house of justice and law.