What power does executive clemency provide?

Executive clemency refers to the power granted to a governor or president to show leniency toward someone convicted of a crime. This typically includes the authority to grant reprieves (temporary delays of punishment), pardons (forgiveness of a crime), and paroles (conditional release from prison). By exercising this power, an executive can correct injustices, offer second chances, and address circumstances that may warrant a reconsideration of the severity of a punishment.

This power is rooted in the belief that the judicial system can sometimes produce harsh outcomes, and clemency provides a mechanism to address individual cases where mercy may be warranted. It acts as a check on the judicial process and reflects a more humane aspect of government authority.

Other options, such as passing new laws, appointing judges, or vetoing bills, involve distinct powers associated with legislative or judicial authority, rather than the specific act of mitigating punishment, which is unique to clemency.