The New South Wales Attorney General Michael Daley on Monday announced Kathleen Folbigg had been pardoned and would be released immediately.
The effect of this pardon is that Ms Folbigg has been relieved of the penalty imposed on her because of her criminal conviction.
This is different to an appeal against conviction, which hopes to quash a conviction recorded against a person.
When would I appeal and how do I appeal a criminal conviction?
An appeal can be brought if a person is convicted of a crime in either the Magistrates, District or Supreme Court.
If you are convicted of an offence before the Magistrates Court, you have a right of appeal to the District Court of Queensland. If you are convicted of an offence before the District or Supreme Courts, you have a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal. There is then an ability to appeal further to the High Court of Australia.
There are time limits for which an appeal can be lodged, so you should seek legal advice from Jones + Associates as soon as possible if you are convicted and feel that conviction was unfair or unsafe. Jones + Associates will provide you with advice on the prospects of your appeal and prepare all the necessary paperwork on your behalf.