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Collimator

(1,639 posts)
Thu Jan 14, 2021, 11:55 PM Jan 2021

Everyone is talking about pardons.

Will Trump try to pardon this person, can he pardon himself?

I am not a lawyer. If there is anyone here with real training and credentials please correct me.

As far as I understand the concept, you cannot pardon someone unless they have been convicted.

Right now, some of the terrorist/insurgents have been charged. No trials have been convened. Therefore, until the accused are given their verdicts in court, no one can possibly pardon them.

Now, I know that political clout and other means have been used in the past to get charges dropped in all kinds of situations. But, as far as I understand, no one can issue a pardon for a crime that has not yet been proved. I wish people would consider this point in these discussions about Trump pardoning his family, his cronies and his supporters.

Again, I am open to correction if I am wrong. But I would rather such correction come from someone with real information, not just people speculating. I understand the need to speculate. We're all worried, upset and scared. Speculation is a way of trying to prepare ourselves and feel more in control. It also makes us feel important and less like insignificant background players in this intense drama unfolding around us.

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Everyone is talking about pardons. (Original Post) Collimator Jan 2021 OP
He'll pardon no one C_U_L8R Jan 2021 #1
Nixon Airotciv60 Jan 2021 #2
They do not have to be convicted or even charged LeftInTX Jan 2021 #3
Nixon was pardoned jcgoldie Jan 2021 #4

Airotciv60

(29 posts)
2. Nixon
Thu Jan 14, 2021, 11:58 PM
Jan 2021

Nixon was pardoned and was never indicted or convicted. So yes, a non-convicted person can be pardoned.

LeftInTX

(25,331 posts)
3. They do not have to be convicted or even charged
Thu Jan 14, 2021, 11:58 PM
Jan 2021

Jimmy Carter pardoned all the draft dodgers. Andrew Johnson pardoned all of the confederates. Blanket pardons.

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