Pardon

Apardonis a decision that absolves aconvictedperson of a criminal conviction. A pardon may befullorpartial:

• Afull pardonremoves all of the consequences of conviction.
• Apartial pardondoes not fully absolve a person of the conviction. For example, a partial pardon may not set aside a finding of guilt, or may not fully restore the rights of the person who received the pardon.

Pardons are sometimes given to people who are wrongly convicted. In that case, the person is cleared of that conviction, as if never convicted.

The practice varies greatly between countries. In theUnited Statesa pardon for a federal conviction may be granted by thePresident,while pardons for state convictions may be granted by stategovernors.