full pardon
Total official forgiveness
A full pardon is an official act that completely forgives a crime and restores the rights lost upon conviction—voting, holding office, possessing firearms.
Unlike a commutation, which only reduces a sentence, a full pardon wipes the slate clean, though it doesn't erase the conviction from the record.
Presidents grant federal pardons; governors handle state offenses.
The president issued a full pardon on his last day in office.
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- blanket amnestyUnconditional forgiveness for all
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- executive clemencyLeader's power to forgive crimes
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
absolution · exoneration · mercy · acquittal · release · walk free · presidential · Gerald Ford · governor · unconditional · parole · innocence · vindication · freedom · redemption · fresh start · second chance · slate
- pardonsclemency, amnesty, commutation, reprieve
full pardonconviction
Firmly held belief
guilty verdict · maximum sentence · life sentence · death sentence · criminal conviction
full pardonindictment
Formal charge from jury
prosecution · condemnation · sentencing · punishment · criminal penalty
full, fully, fullness, fuller, fullest, pardon, pardons, pardoned, pardoning