Word: Executive Clemency
Definition:Executive clemency is a noun that refers to the special power granted to a president or a governor to forgive someone who has been convicted of a crime. This means they can either completely erase the person's punishment (this is called a "pardon") or reduce it to a lesser punishment (this is called "commutation").
Usage Instructions: - Use "executive clemency" when discussing legal or political matters, especially in relation to criminal justice. - It is often used in formal contexts, such as news articles, legal discussions, or when talking about government actions.
Example Sentence: "The governor granted executive clemency to a prisoner who had shown good behavior during their sentence."
Advanced Usage: In discussions about law or politics, you might find phrases like "exercise executive clemency" or "request executive clemency." These phrases refer to the act of using this power or asking for it.
Word Variants: - Pardon: This is a specific type of executive clemency where all legal consequences of a conviction are erased. - Commutation: This refers to reducing the severity of a punishment, such as changing a death sentence to life in prison.
Different Meanings: - While "executive clemency" specifically pertains to legal forgiveness by a high-ranking official, the term "clemency" alone can mean mercy or leniency in a broader sense.
Synonyms: - Mercy - Forgiveness - Leniency
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with "executive clemency," but you may encounter phrases like "show mercy" or "give a second chance," which convey similar meanings.