May 29, 2020

What Is Clemency? Why Do I Need A Lawyer?

If you are seeking clemency, you are attempting to climb a very steep legal mountain. Clemency, which is defined as an act of mercy given to a convicted person by an executive member of government such as a governor or president, can take three distinct forms. These include a reprieve, having one’s sentence commuted, or receiving a full pardon. No matter which of these you may be seeking, you will not be able to do it alone. Since there are many legal hurdles to clear, always place your trust in Arlington Heights Illinois criminal lawyers at the Geocaris Law Firm.

Reprieve

Usually given to prisoners when there is a question as to their guilt, a reprieve can give your attorney more time to pursue leads or examine evidence that was used in a previous trial. If you need a reprieve to help prove your innocence, always work closely with Arlington Heights Illinois criminal lawyers at the Geocaris Law Firm to give yourself the best possible chance of proving your innocence.

Sentence Commuted

With this type of clemency, your conviction for a crime will not be voided. Instead, your jail or prison sentence is reduced to a lesser sentence. In many cases, this is done when an executive member of government deems the initial sentence to have been too harsh for the crime that was committed. Since this can be a complex process, always trust your Arlington Height Illinois criminal lawyers to guide you each step of the way.

Pardon

Often given by U.S. presidents, a pardon will not do away with your conviction. However, it will allow you to be forgiven for the crime and the penalty associated with it.

Since any of these acts of clemency require applications and petitions to be filed with various courts, consult with an experienced lawyer at the Geocaris Law Firm as soon as possible.