easyt65
Diamond Member
- Aug 4, 2015
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"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.
A commuted sentence replaces the original, court-ordered sentence. A controversial example is ex-President Bush’s 2007 decision to commute Scooter Libby’s 30-month prison sentence.
Compared to Pardons
Like the pardoning power, the power to commute sentences is in the executive’s discretion; neither the legislative nor judicial branch can interfere with or override that power.
Although commutation is considered part of the pardoning power, there are significant differences between commutations and pardons.
Commutation Basics
Commutation is part of the pardoning power, so the person (or board) with the pardoning power usually also exercises the power to commute sentences. Only the President may commute federal sentences; in most states, only the governor can commute a sentence. "
FACT, Constitution, and Law override LPSD emotion....
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A commuted sentence replaces the original, court-ordered sentence. A controversial example is ex-President Bush’s 2007 decision to commute Scooter Libby’s 30-month prison sentence.
Compared to Pardons
Like the pardoning power, the power to commute sentences is in the executive’s discretion; neither the legislative nor judicial branch can interfere with or override that power.
Although commutation is considered part of the pardoning power, there are significant differences between commutations and pardons.
- Forgiveness vs. reduction. Pardons forgive the defendant for the crime, while commutation only reduces the sentence.
- Acceptance. Prisoners must accept pardons, but some states allow commuted sentences without the prisoner’s consent.
- Civil rights. Unlike pardons, commutations don’t restore the civil rights lost with the criminal conviction.
- Basis. Prisoners usually earn commutation through good behavior, while pardons can be issued for a wide variety of reasons, some of which may be purely political.
Commutation Basics
Commutation is part of the pardoning power, so the person (or board) with the pardoning power usually also exercises the power to commute sentences. Only the President may commute federal sentences; in most states, only the governor can commute a sentence. "
FACT, Constitution, and Law override LPSD emotion....
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Commutation of Sentence
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
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