Pardoned
Governor Brown gives Downey a full and unconditional pardon for his drugs conviction in 1996. Downey was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle with a prior conviction, driving under the influence and use of a controlled substance. He served one year and three months in prison, two years on parole and nearly three years on probation. Brown:
Pardons are not granted unless they are earned…[Downey has] paid his debt to society…He has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen.