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"The Fall of the Presidential Pardon"

By Douglas A. Berman

The title of this post is the title of this effective piece on modern federal clemency realities sent my way by a helpful reader.  Here are a few lengthy excerpts from a lengthy article that justifies a full read: Although all recent presidents have granted few pardons, Bush's rate was exceptionally low. He tied with his father for the lowest-ever percentage of granted pardons (conviction reversals) ? 9.8 percent ? and he granted an astonishingly tiny number of requested commutations (shortened sentences): 0.012 percent.... [A]lthough Bush disappointed some guilty crony hopefuls with his meager list of pardons and commutations, he disappointed a far greater number of long-serving prisoners with no other hope of release.  An ever-growing percentage of the US's 2...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on April 04, 2009 (boomark / email).