ABSOLUTE PARDON Meaning and
Definition
-
An absolute pardon is a legal term referring to a full and complete forgiveness of a person's criminal offense or conviction by a governing authority, such as a president or governor. It is an official act that permanently absolves an individual from all legal consequences and punishments associated with their crime.
In an absolute pardon, the granting authority completely wipes out the conviction, as if it had never occurred, and restores the recipient's civil rights and privileges. Consequently, the pardoned individual is relieved from further penalty, such as imprisonment, fines, or probation, and their criminal record is often expunged.
This type of pardon is typically granted after a thorough review of the case, often involving investigation and consultation with relevant legal experts and advisors. The decision to issue an absolute pardon is usually motivated by various factors, such as evidence of innocence, irregularities in the legal process, compelling new evidence, or demonstrations of rehabilitation and good conduct.
Absolute pardons carry significant legal weight and confer numerous benefits to the recipient. Not only does it eliminate the consequences of the offense, but it also provides the person with a fresh start, free from the stigma of their criminal record. Importantly, an absolute pardon is irreversible, ensuring that the individual is permanently relieved of any legal liability related to the pardoned offense.
Etymology of ABSOLUTE PARDON
The etymology of the word "absolute pardon" can be traced back to Latin and Middle English.
The term "pardon" originated from the Latin word "perdonare", which means "to give completely" or "to remit". In medieval Latin, the term "perdonum absolutum" emerged, which referred to a full or complete pardon.
During the Middle Ages, this Latin term was adopted into the legal language of England and transformed into the Middle English phrase "absolute pardon". The word "absolute" in this context meant "unconditional" or "unrestricted".
Over time, the phrase "absolute pardon" became commonly used to refer to an official act of forgiving an individual for a particular offense or crime, without any conditions or restrictions. It is still used today in legal and political contexts to describe a full and unconditional forgiveness or release from the consequences of a crime.
