How come the president has the ability to pardon people?

[FortFunFoSho]

Just curious.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
Just curious.

Google broken for you?

ETA - The link works. Just click on it dammit.

 

[upsciLLion]

Probably because he's the head of the executive branch.

 

[Farang]

Checks and balances.

 

[FortFunFoSho]

Was just reading wiki at the same time as I posted this and I am trying to figure how i feel about the ability to pardon people.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: FortFunFoSho
Was just reading wiki at the same time as I posted this and I am trying to figure how i feel about the ability to pardon people.

In that case, you're in the wrong forum. Have fun.

 

[BoomerD]

From Article 2 of the US Constitution:

"he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment"

THAT is why he has the ability to pardon people.

 

[Tobolo]

The Constitution says he can. End of discussion.

 

[nageov3t]

to check the judicial branch?

 

[miketheidiot]

to correct miscarriages of justice. Unfortunately its usually used for political payoff, or at least more than it should be.

 

[ProfJohn]

Because someone has to have that power and you really can?t give it to the courts since they are suppose to be impartial.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Cause hes the boss?

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Maybe a better worded question (which I haven't time to research) is what influences and thoughts led the writers of the Constitution to allow a President to give pardons.

 

[StageLeft]

What's this checks and balances nonsense? The country has 300 M people, there's no way he can act as a C&B against injustice to all of them or even a fairly moderate percentage of them.

I think this rule is old and the constitution could probably do without it. It seems like when presidents leave office (all of them), their friends get pardons. Who's the C&B against that corruption?

 

[Jhhnn]

It's traditional, having its roots in the divine right of Kings. Governors have the same power wrt state offences.

Yeh, sure, it can be misused for political purposes, but it's a necessary and desirable part of the executive toolkit. If anything, few executives use it as frequently as they should for fear of political backlash from the law&order vengeance crowd...

Dunno who said it first, but the idea that "a society can best be judged by the quality of its mercy" would seem to apply...