commuted sentence
Clemency for prisoners
A commuted sentence is a criminal punishment that has been reduced by executive authority—typically a governor or president.
The original sentence stands, but its severity is lessened: a death sentence might become life imprisonment, or a twenty-year term might become ten.
Unlike a pardon, commutation doesn't erase the conviction or restore rights; it only shortens or softens the penalty.
The governor commuted her sentence to time served, and she was released immediately.
- reducedMade less in amount
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- presidential pardonLeader's power to forgive crimes
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- reprievePostponement of punishment
prison · behind bars · prison term · governor · petition · appeal · leniency · forgiveness · release · incarceration · judge · rehabilitation · probation · parole · early release · mitigated · time served · good behavior
- prison sentencesprison term, jail time, life without parole, mandatory minimum, doing time
commuted sentencemaximum sentence
Longest term a judge can impose
death sentence · capital punishment · life sentence · mandatory minimum · consecutive sentences
commuted sentencefull pardon
Complete legal forgiveness
exoneration · acquittal · expungement · not guilty verdict · pardon
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