full pardon

In law, a pardon is a release from guilt or the penalty for an offense. This power is typically held by the chief executive officer of a state, such as the President of the United States, who can grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the U.S., excluding cases of impeachment. Pardons can be full or conditional, with a full pardon aiming to clear an individual of all infamy and disqualifications. While the exact effect of a full pardon varies by jurisdiction, in the U.S., the Supreme Court has stated it can make an offender "as innocent as if he had never committed the offense". Pardons can also be granted by legislative bodies through acts of indemnity.12