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The Pardon Power is a constitutional power of the President to restore someone to his full civil rights in spite of his criminal acts. "The President ... shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." U.S. Const. Art. II, Sec. 2, Cl. 1. This is one of the few presidential powers that is virtually unlimited.
The power comes from the royal English Prerogative of Kings, which predates the Norman invasion. To curb abuses in which kings would grant pardons in exchange for money, Parliament tried unsuccessfully to limit this power. However, in 1701 Parliament limited this power in the Act of Settlement.
Charles Pickney proposed the addition of the Pardon Power to the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention, on May 29, 1787. ''The Federalist'' No. 74 explains its purpose of "humanity and good policy" and to lessen harsh results of the criminal code. Several Supreme Court decisions have upheld a broad interpretation of the Pardon Power.<ref>''United States v. Wilson'', 32 U.S. 150 (1833)</ref><ref>''Ex parte'' Garland, 71 U.S. 333 (1867)</ref><ref>''United States v. Klein'', 80 U.S. 128 (1871)</ref><ref>''Biddle v. Perovich'', 274 U.S. 480 (1927)</ref><ref>''Schick v. Reed'', 419 U.S. 256 (1974)</ref>
Congress can grant pardons itself.<ref>''United States v. Klein'', 80 U.S. 128 (1871)</ref>
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'''Sources:''' <references/>
The power comes from the royal English Prerogative of Kings, which predates the Norman invasion. To curb abuses in which kings would grant pardons in exchange for money, Parliament tried unsuccessfully to limit this power. However, in 1701 Parliament limited this power in the Act of Settlement.
Charles Pickney proposed the addition of the Pardon Power to the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention, on May 29, 1787. ''The Federalist'' No. 74 explains its purpose of "humanity and good policy" and to lessen harsh results of the criminal code. Several Supreme Court decisions have upheld a broad interpretation of the Pardon Power.<ref>''United States v. Wilson'', 32 U.S. 150 (1833)</ref><ref>''Ex parte'' Garland, 71 U.S. 333 (1867)</ref><ref>''United States v. Klein'', 80 U.S. 128 (1871)</ref><ref>''Biddle v. Perovich'', 274 U.S. 480 (1927)</ref><ref>''Schick v. Reed'', 419 U.S. 256 (1974)</ref>
Congress can grant pardons itself.<ref>''United States v. Klein'', 80 U.S. 128 (1871)</ref>
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'''Sources:''' <references/>