The executive branch
clemency
The President's power to forgive or reduce federal punishment: a pardon erases the conviction's penalties, a commutation shortens the sentence, a reprieve delays it.
In full
Article II gives the President power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. It reaches federal crimes only, so it cannot touch a state conviction, and courts have read it as essentially unreviewable. A pardon may be granted before charges are filed. Commutation leaves the conviction standing and changes only the sentence.
Also written as: pardon, commutation, reprieve, amnesty
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.