Presidential Pardons essays

Presidential Pardons essays The President of the United States has many powers, of them the power to pardon is perhaps one of the most controversial powers he posses. Throughout history the pardon has played an important part in political and perhaps financial support for Presidents. Previously Presidents have been accused of abusing the pardon. Although extremely controversial at times, the presidential pardon is an important part of U.S. government. The U.S. constitution gives the President of the United States the power to grant pardons under Article II Section 2, and is stated as such. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. This is extended into 4 main types of pardons. Absolute pardon, a pardon that releases the wrongdoer from punishment and restores the offender's civil rights without qualification. Also termed full pardon, unconditional pardon. Conditional pardon, a pardon that does not become effective until the wrongdoer satisfied a prerequisite or that will be revoked upon the o ccurrence of some specified act. General pardon, a pardon extended by the government to a group or class or persons, usually for a political offense; the act of a sovereign power officially forgiving certain classes of persons who are subject to trial but have not been convicted.... Unlike an ordinary pardon, amnesty is usually addressed to crimes against state sovereignty - that is, to political offenses with respect to which forgiveness is deemed more expedient for the public welfare than prosecution and punis ...