presidential pardon

A presidential pardon can be a fraught proposition with the waiting time for death row convicts ranging from three years to 20 years.

If a president were to attempt a self-pardon, it would almost certainly lead to significant legal challenges and could ultimately require a Supreme Court ruling. Furthermore, presidential pardons apply only to federal offenses and would not impact any state-level charges, such as those Trump faces in Georgia.

India was making serious efforts at the highest diplomatic level to secure presidential pardon for the five Tamil Nadu fishermen sentenced to death by a Sri Lankan court for drug trafficking, officials in the Indian high commission in Colombo said on Friday.

On Dec 1, Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter, in convictions for gun and tax offences. The pardon has drawn attention since Biden had previously said he would not intervene in cases involving his son

Recorded history shows that in nearly all civilizations the leader had the power to punish or remit. Even in the modern world the highest authority — the president, the monarch or the religious leader (Iran etc.) has the power of pardon or forgiveness of a crime.

President Joe Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, has led to significant controversy. It contradicts Biden's previous assurances against such a pardon, diverges from Justice Department clemency guidelines, raises ethical concerns regarding nepotism, and has sparked political backlash and renewed scrutiny of Biden's clemency record.

The Bombay high court on Friday slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 each on two dismissed police personnel who claimed to have received presidential pardon for their convictions in a 1990 custodial death.

The 81-year-old Lee, who in June was granted a temporary release from jail due to his age and deteriorating health, is serving 17 years for bribery and embezzlement. It was effectively a life sentence as he was not due for release until 2036, when he would be 95. The former Hyundai CEO-turned-president was charged with 16 criminal allegations in 2018 and sentenced in 2020.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has revived a Stalin-era practice by deploying convicted criminals, including murderers and cannibals, to Ukraine as part of 'Storm-Z' units. Over 100,000 convicts have been offered presidential pardons in exchange for service in Ukraine. These recruits include individuals convicted of heinous crimes, highlighting the perceived expendability of these soldiers. The practice has raised concerns about reoffending rates. This strategy aims to minimize domestic unrest and leverage Russia's large population, but it poses a significant concern for ordinary Russians.

President-elect Trump has signaled his intent to pardon several controversial figures, including those involved in the January 6th Capitol riot and potentially even himself. These potential pardons have already impacted legal proceedings and sparked debate about their legal and ethical implications.

President Trump issued sweeping pardons to key figures involved in a plan to arrange alternate elector slates and "expose voting fraud" in the 2020 election. The pardons covered Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and others charged in Georgia, including four who pleaded guilty. These actions aimed to overturn election results and halt certification, though Trump himself was excluded from the clemency.

A former Sri Lankan parliamentarian from the ruling party who was serving a death sentence over murder charges on Thursday was released from prison on a "special" presidential pardon, triggering a widespread criticism, including from the US.

Pinning hopes of the release of his client Sarabjit Singh on the customary presidential pardon granted to few prisoners on the Independence Day of Pakistan - August 14th , Awais Sheikh, counsel for Sarabjit Singh said that he was hopeful that President Asif Ali Zardari would give new lease of life to Sarabjit Singh who had spent more than 2 decades in Pakistan.

Twenty-two years after seven cops were booked for the custodial death of a youth, one of the officers who was convicted has moved the Bombay high court seeking reinstatement in service.

Donald Trump issued a pardon to former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters for her efforts to expose voter fraud in the 2020 election. Trump accused Democrats of prosecuting election integrity advocates while ignoring violent crime. Despite the pardon, Peters remains in jail as presidential pardons do not apply to state convictions.

There have been at least four cases in the recent past where rapists awarded death penalty managed to escape the noose after the President commuted their sentence to life imprisonment.

SAD urged presidential pardon for Mohd Afzal facing capital punishment in the Parliament attack case.

ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in Pakistan have sought to put the government on the mat in the wake of mess in the country's nuclear establishment arising out of Abdul Qadir Khan's proliferation activities and the presidential pardon to the scientist.

Mike Pence has lauded Pamela Hemphill, a former Trump supporter who participated in the January 6th Capitol riots, for rejecting a presidential pardon. Pence praised her "honorable decision" and commitment to the Rule of Law. Hemphill shared Pence's letter on X, stating it made her hardships worthwhile, as Pence acknowledged her integrity and faith in accepting responsibility for her actions.

There is not a definitive answer. No president has tried it before, so the courts have not weighed in. Many legal experts have said a self-pardon would be unconstitutional because it violates the principle that nobody should be the judge in his or her own case.

Donald Trump has initiated an inquiry into Joe Biden's administration, alleging the misuse of autopen signatures to conceal Biden's mental state. Biden refuted these claims, asserting his full control over White House operations and dismissing Trump's accusations as a distraction from Republican legislative efforts.

Former President Joe Biden delivered a farewell speech at Andrews Air Force Base, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and continued efforts even after leaving office. He expressed gratitude to his team, highlighted their significant contributions, and called on them to remain engaged in public service. Biden also issued a series of presidential pardons before concluding his presidency.

Most modern democracies in the world have systems of one kind or another to grant pardon or clemency.