Art. IV, § 4

Reprieves, commutations and pardons; powers and duties of governor relating to grants of

Power The Governor & Executive Art. IV · Executive

Official text rightpowerlimitif conditionlegal term

The governor shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction, for all offenses except treason and cases of , upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations, as he or she may think proper, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law relative to the manner of applying for pardons. Upon conviction for treason, the governor shall have power to suspend the execution of the sentence, until the case shall be reported to the legislature at its next meeting, when the legislature shall either pardon, or commute the sentence, direct the execution of the sentence, or grant a further reprieve. The governor shall annually communicate to the legislature each case of reprieve, commutation or pardon granted, stating the name of the convict, the crime of which the convict was convicted, the sentence and its date, and the date of the commutation, pardon or reprieve.

Simplified explanation

The governor may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after conviction for all offenses except treason and impeachment. For treason, the governor may suspend the sentence until the legislature acts. The governor must report each grant to the legislature annually.