AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has granted full pardons to six Texans who committed minor crimes.

In keeping with a long-running holiday tradition, Abbott notified those pardoned just before Christmas. All six were sentenced to probation or jail time for low-level crimes, including marijuana possession and theft. They are:

Javier Rojas Jr., 39, for unlawful possession of marijuana in 1997 (El Paso County). Rojas was sentenced to six years' probation and a $1,000 fine.

Raymond Eldon Lindholm, 46, for unlawful possession of marijuana in 1997 (Morris County). Lindholm was sentenced to five years' probation and a $2,000 fine.

Pamela Hawon Wren, 46, for theft between $200 and $750 in 1999 (Denton County). Wren was sentenced to 180 days' probation and a $100 fine.

Reginald Charles DeCuire, 53, for theft in 1983 (Jefferson County). DeCuire was sentenced to five days in jail.

Joseph Clinton Blackwell, 39, for burglary of a vehicle in 1996 (Tarrant County). Blackwell was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Ruth Anne Griffith, 22, for assault causing bodily injury in 2014 (Harrison County). Griffith was sentenced to 100 days in jail.

The governor has the power to pardon people for any crime, except treason or impeachment. But very rarely has clemency been granted to someone with a felony conviction or who has committed violent crime. A full pardon restores to the recipient certain rights he may have lost, including the right to serve on a jury, vote or hold public office.

Dozens, sometimes hundreds, of Texans apply for clemency each year. The seven-member Texas Pardons and Parole Board reviews each request and makes a recommendation to the governor, who then approves or denies the pardon. The board members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms.

1 / 2The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole receives dozens of applications for clemency each year. The board reviews each case and makes a recommendation to the governor, who can grant a pardon or not. This year, Gov. Greg Abbott is granting six Texans a full pardon.(Texas Board of Pardons and Parole) 2 / 2The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole receives dozens of applications for clemency each year. The board reviews each case and makes a recommendation to the governor, who can grant a pardon or not. This year, Gov. Greg Abbott is granting six Texans a full pardon.(Texas Board of Pardons and Parole)

In 2017, 92 Texans applied for clemency, including three who had committed capital offenses, according to the board's annual report. The board recommended 16 for clemency and Abbott granted full pardons to seven. In 2016, 93 people applied for clemency, 29 were recommended and Abbott granted full pardons to five. In 2015, Abbott pardoned four people.

The board did not have readily available the number of applications or board recommendations Abbott received this year.

The highest number of pardons in recent years was issued back in 2003, when then-Gov. Rick Perry granted clemency to 35 people swept up in a mass drug sting in the West Texas town of Tulia.

There are multiple kinds of clemency depending on the crime committed, from full pardon to the restoration of a driver's license. Application can be made for both capital and non-capital cases; the board has not recommended clemency for someone convicted of a capital crime during Abbott's time in office.