Executive clemency that relieves a prisoner of guilt without declaring innocence is called what?

Executive clemency that relieves a prisoner of guilt without declaring innocence is called what?

• A. Parole
• B. Pardon
• C. Reprieve
• D. Commutation

Answer: (B)

Executive clemency that forgives the crime and relieves the individual of guilt without declaring innocence is a pardon. A pardon acts as forgiveness for the offense and removes penalties tied to the conviction, often restoring certain rights, but it does not state that the person is actually innocent. This differs from reprieve, which only delays punishment; commutation, which reduces the sentence while leaving guilt intact; and parole, which releases a convicted person from prison under conditions before the full sentence is served.

Executive clemency that forgives the crime and relieves the individual of guilt without declaring innocence is a pardon. A pardon acts as forgiveness for the offense and removes penalties tied to the conviction, often restoring certain rights, but it does not state that the person is actually innocent. This differs from reprieve, which only delays punishment; commutation, which reduces the sentence while leaving guilt intact; and parole, which releases a convicted person from prison under conditions before the full sentence is served.