free pardon
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- the formal act of liberating someone