What is the power of commutation?

Commutation is a form of clemency that reduces the punishment for a crime. It usually takes the form of a reduced (“commuted”) prison term, but can also reduce court-ordered fines.

What are the president’s clemency powers?

The authority to take such action is granted to the president by the U.S. Constitution. A pardon is one form of the clemency power of the president, the others being commutation of sentence, remission of fine or restitution, and reprieve.

What’s the difference between pardon and commutation?

While a pardon deletes a conviction, a commutation keeps the conviction but deletes or lowers the punishment. The conviction stays on the record, and the person who receives the commutation does have any rights restored.

What does it mean to receive a commutation?

In law, a commutation is the substitution of a lesser penalty for that given after a conviction for a crime. The penalty can be lessened in severity, in duration, or both.

What is a commutation in government?

In criminal law, commutation refers to reducing or lessening a sentence or punishment resulting from a criminal conviction, which can be done by the governor of a state (for state convictions) or president of the United States (for federal convictions).

What is commutation quizlet?

Commutation. The power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine for a crime. Executive order. Directive rule or regulation issued by a chief executive or subordinates. Reprieve.

What happens when your sentence is commuted?

To “commute a sentence” is the power to substitute a sentence imposed by the judiciary for a lesser sentence. In other words, it means the power to reduce or lessen a sentence resulting from a criminal conviction. For example, a ten-year sentence may be commuted to a five-year sentence.

Is clemency the same as commutation?

What is the difference between a commutation of sentence and a pardon? In the federal system, commutation of sentence and pardon are different forms of executive clemency, which is a broad term that applies to the President’s constitutional power to exercise leniency toward persons who have committed federal crimes.