In order to receive a pardon, does one have to APPLY for one?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Formally, in some kind of established process?

If ,for instance, Cheney, Rove or Gonzales get pardons, could we assume that they must have applied for them and therefore acknowledge criminality in their actions?

[WI_DEM]

1. I'm not sure, but acceptance of a pardon is also considered acceptance of the wrong doing.

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. In theory, no...

...in practice, it is usually as per application.

[bluestateguy]

3. No

Justice Department guidelines say so, but the President's pardoning power under the constitution supersedes any guidelines laid out by the Justice Department.

In other words, the DOJ's guidelines are pretty much toothless.

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. It used to be someone applied to the DOJ Office of Pardons.

which vetted the issue, recommended yea or nay, sent it along to Pres.

Of course, these days..........

[ThomWV]

5. That is how it should be done - expect less from Bush

[Number_Six]

6. No, look at Dick Nixon

Nixon didn't ask Ford, nor was even convicted. It was a blanket pass.

[Winterblues]

7. I think ford pardoned all the Vietnam era Draft Dodgers didn't he?

It was a blanket Amnesty and general Pardon for all Draft dodgers and deserters to come back to America without consequence. I think he set a six month period for that to take place..

[RB TexLa]

8. Carter did it, not Ford

[Warpy]

9. No, but it helps to have friends in high places to lobby for one

Remember Marc Rich? His friends were Dick Cheney and Scooter Libby.

Clinton really should have seen that one coming.