Definition

1. Noun:
   • An official act of forgiveness for a crime, resulting in the complete release from punishment and often from any legal consequences of the conviction. A "free pardon" is a formal, absolute pardon granted by a sovereign or governing authority.

Usage

• A "free pardon" is a formal legal term. It is typically granted by a head of state (e.g., a president or monarch) or a designated official body. It is an executive act of clemency that nullifies the punishment and, in principle, the conviction itself for the recipient.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The governor granted the prisoner a free pardon after new evidence proved his innocence.
  • Receiving a free pardon restored his civil rights and cleared his name.

Advanced Usage

• "To grant a free pardon": The formal act of issuing this type of pardon.
  • The council has the power to grant a free pardon in cases of miscarriage of justice.

Variants and Related Words

• Pardon (n): A more general term for forgiveness of a crime and its associated penalty. A "free pardon" is a specific, absolute type of pardon.
• Clemency (n): Mercy or leniency, especially in the context of reducing a punishment, which can include a pardon.
• Amnesty (n): A pardon extended to a group of people, often for political offenses.

Synonyms

• Absolute pardon
• Full pardon

Related Phrases

• Royal pardon: A pardon granted by a monarch, which is often a "free pardon."
  • He was released after receiving a royal pardon.

Notes

• A "free pardon" is distinct from other forms of clemency like a commutation (which reduces a sentence) or a reprieve (which delays it). It represents the highest level of forgiveness within a legal system.

Noun

1. the formal act of liberating someone