As the parties recognize,
Tenn.Code Ann. § 40–29–101 provides a procedure through which “[p]ersons rendered infamous or deprived of the rights of citizenship by the judgment of any state or federal court
may have their full rights of citizenship restored by the circuit court.”
Id. § 40–29–101 (emphasis added). The requirements for restoration of citizenship rights depend upon the date of the conviction. For convictions after July 1, 1986 but before July 1, 1996, a person may petition for restoration based on a pardon, service or expiration of the maximum sentence for the offense, or “final release” from incarceration or supervision.
See id. § 40–29–105(b) (1997 & Supp.2001). For convictions after July 1, 1996, a petition may be based on a pardon or expiration of the maximum sentence, and the petitioner must also show that the petitioner “merits having full rights of citizenship restored.”
See id. § 40–29–105(c).