What are the differences between a pardon and a commutation?
A pardon can be granted at any time after the offense is committed, including before a person is tried, convicted, sentenced, or starts serving a sentence. Typically, however, a pardon is not granted until after a person has finished serving their sentence and remained law-abiding for a certain period of time (e.g., 5 years). Commutations are typically granted only while the person is still serving their sentence. The effects of a pardon are also different than the effects of a commutation. A pardon usually restores most or all of the offender’s civil rights (e.g., voting, holding public office, serving as a juror, gun ownership) and, in a few states, also expunges (removes) the person’s conviction from their criminal record. Unlike pardons, commutations do not restore civil rights or expunge a person’s record. Receiving a pardon or a commutation usually also does not mean that the person is considered innocent of the crime. Both pardons and commutations can come with conditions attach
