The Governor may remit in whole or in part any fine or penalty assessed or imposed by a court of record, court-martial, or other authority, only in the following instances:

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 5-1-17

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Judgment: includes decrees and orders for the payment of money, or the conveyance or delivery of land or personal property, or some interest therein, or any undertaking, bond or recognizance which has the legal effect of a judgment. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Offense: includes every act or omission for which a fine, forfeiture, or punishment is imposed by law. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10

(a) When judgment has been rendered against any person for a contempt of court, other than for nonperformance of, or disobedience to, some order, decree or judgment; or when any fine or penalty is imposed by the sentence of a court-martial, the Governor may pardon the offense and remit the fine or penalty, either in whole or in part;

(b) When any fine has been imposed, if the same or any part thereof, when collected, would be payable to the state, and has not been so paid, the Governor may, on good cause shown by affidavit, or on the recommendation of the judge or a majority of the jury who tried the case, remit so much as is payable to the state and has not been so paid, or a less amount, either unconditionally, or upon such terms and conditions as may seem to him right and proper.