Posts by Brandon Sample
President Biden’s Clemency Initiative
President Biden is set to announce a new clemency initiative similar to the ones previously offered by President Obama. The NY Times is reporting that the new initiative will focus on racial inequality. While the details of this clemency initiative are not yet known, it will likely take the form of releasing thousands of drug…
Read MoreClemency Push Continues
The New York Times reports that the Biden Administration is continuing to prepare for a clemency push: New York Times Biden Clemency
Read MorePresident Biden and Clemency
Clemency and Joe Biden – A Look Forward The President’s (Joe Biden) constitutional powers to pardon are well established. The provision, allowing the granting of “Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States” has been broadly interpreted by the Supreme Court, allowing the President an array of clemency options. Every President from George Washington…
Read MoreBiden Looking to Exercise Power of Commutation
Biden Looking to Exercise Power of Commutation Commutation: the act of commuting a judicial sentence. In other words, “commutation” means letting someone walk free. Unlike anyone else in the United States of America, the President of the United States is granted the power to commute sentences of those who are incarcerated, or of those who…
Read MoreA Guide to Pennsylvania Clemency Options: Pardons and Commutations of Sentence
Pennsylvania Clemency : A Pennsylvania pardon is a way for a person convicted of a crime to regain their civil rights. The Pennsylvania governor sets aside the punishment or sentence for the crime. Overall, a Pennsylvania pardon allows a convicted individual to regain all of the rights of any other citizen. The Pennsylvania Board of…
Read MorePardon vs Commutation Explained with Examples – What is the difference between a pardon and a commutation?
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the United States grants the President the power to grant clemency to persons who have committed federal crimes. Specifically, the clause states that “The President . . . shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases…
Read MoreCyntoia Granted Clemency by Tennessee Governor After Life Sentence
Cyntoia Brown Story : The heartbreaking facts of the crime for which Cyntoia Brown served 15 years of a life sentence ultimately resulted in Cyntoia granted clemency. At the Cyntoia Brown clemency hearing in 2018, the Tennessee governor heard arguments that she was only 16 when given a life sentence with parole eligibility in 51…
Read MoreBrendan Dassey of Netflix “Making a Murderer” Seeks Clemency
Brendan Dassey from “Making a Murderer” Files a Clemency Petition : Brendan Dassey of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin captivated Netflix viewers across the nation as the subject of the popular “Making a Murderer” documentary. The documentary focuses on the controversial investigation, criminal prosecution, conviction and sentencing of Brendan Dassey and his uncle for the 2005 murder…
Read MoreWho Did Donald Trump Pardon?
So, Who did Donald trump pardon ?- Check the Trump pardon list at the end of this article. First of all, whenever President Donald Trump pardons a convicted individual, it generates national headlines.Trump clemency has been granted to a number of felons. In general, presidential pardons are difficult to come by because they are rarely…
Read MoreMichigan Governor Snyder Grants Six Commutations in Eight Years (Out of 4,017 Requests)
Whom did Rick synder pardon ? – Since 2011, there have been over 4,000 requests from Michigan state prisoners for commutation of their sentences.In the last ten years, 168 prisoners have had their requests granted. Ex Michigan Governor Rick Snyder was responsible for a grand total of six of those commutations in his eight years…
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