The President's Power To Pardon

[Jackie S]

Just a FYI question.
Could President Obama commute the death sentence of Troy Davis with the stroke of a pen?

I know the President can pardon anybody he chooses. What about the commuting of a sentence?

[Laz]

It is a no win for him. It will not happen.

[pyramider]

How about my speeding tickets?

[dilbert firestorm]

Originally Posted by Jackie S

Just a FYI question.
Could President Obama commute the death sentence of Troy Davis with the stroke of a pen?

I know the President can pardon anybody he chooses. What about the commuting of a sentence?

I don't think he can pardon anyone he chooses, he can pardon those who are federal prison, but he can't pardon someone in state prison.

[TexTushHog]

Originally Posted by dilbert firestorm

I don't think he can pardon anyone he chooses, he can pardon those who are federal prison, but he can't pardon someone in state prison.

Correct. Nor can he pardon those impeached under the Federal Constitution.

[dilbert firestorm]

Originally Posted by TexTushHog

Correct. Nor can he pardon those impeached under the Federal Constitution.

can you provide a cite for that? I was under the impression that a president can pardon impeached offenders.

[TexTushHog]

It's the language of the Pardon Clause of the Constitution.

"The President . . . shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article...dential_powers

http://www.house.gov/house/Constitut...stitution.html