executive clemency

executive clemency definition - legal

n

The power granted to the governor by most state constitutions and vested in the president by the United States Constitution as chief executive officer to pardon or to commute any sentence imposed by a court within that officerÂ’s jurisdiction. See also clemency, commutation, pardon, and reprieve.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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