California Governor Jerry Brown Pardons Robert Downey Jr.’s 1999 Drug Case

Jerry Brown, the Governor of California, has pardoned Robert Downey Jr. for his 1999 drug conviction case on Thursday.

Brown's office announced that a total of 91 people received pardons. These former convicted criminals went through rehabilitation and have not been arrested for at least one decade.

Pardons do not expunge people's criminal record. Instead, a pardon gives people their voting rights back. It is also a sign that a person has shown "exemplary behavior" and has paid their "debt to society," the governor's website wrote.

Downey, whose early drug problems were the center of tabloids and newspaper, has made an astonishing comeback. Since he served a nearly one-year jail sentence for violating his probation in 1999, he has starred in some of the most popular movies to date. These movies included the high successful "Ironman" trilogy and the "Avengers" series.

Downey's drug problems dated back to 1996 when police found him in possession of cocaine, heroin and a pistol. He admitted to violating his probation three years later and was sentenced to prison.

The 50-year-old actor was able to receive the pardon after a judge provided a Certificate of Rehabilitation. According to the certificate, Downey has "lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen."

Brown has a history of issuing pardons around Christmas and Easter. The three governors prior to Brown have also given out pardons, but not as many of Brown.