COMMUTATIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Commutations, in the context of law and criminal justice, refer to the acts of granting or receiving a reduction or alteration in a criminal sentence. This alteration can either involve shortening the length of a sentence or changing the type of punishment imposed. Commutations are typically considered when the original sentence is deemed excessive or disproportionate, or if there are compelling mitigating factors that warrant a modification.
A commutation may involve reducing a prison term to a lesser period or replacing incarceration with alternative forms of punishment, such as probation, community service, or electronic monitoring. This legal procedure is often employed to address issues related to overburdened prisons, to recognize an inmate's rehabilitation efforts, or to rectify sentences perceived as unjust or excessively harsh.
The authority to grant commutations generally lies with executive branches of government, such as governors or presidents, who possess the power to exercise discretion and mercy in the administration of criminal justice. However, the process and criteria for granting commutations may vary between jurisdictions. Factors that are commonly taken into account include the nature of the offense, the offender's behavior and remorse, the presence of any mitigating or extenuating circumstances, and the recommendation of the sentencing court or parole board.
Commutions can often be distinguished from other forms of sentence modifications, like pardons or amnesty, which erase or forgive the criminal conviction entirely. A commutation, on the other hand, only modifies the punishment but leaves the conviction itself intact.
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Etymology of COMMUTATIONS
The word "commutations" comes from the Latin word "commutare", which means "to change" or "to exchange". It combines the prefix "com-", meaning "together" or "with", and the verb "mutare", meaning "to change".
Similar spelling words for COMMUTATIONS
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