What is the meaning of reprieve in Article 72?
Asked by: Dr. Britney Kiehn | Last update: March 28, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (73 votes)
In Article 72 (of the Indian Constitution, typically), a reprieve means the temporary suspension or delay of a sentence's execution, especially a death sentence, to give the convicted person time for further appeals, pardon, or commutation, without altering the sentence itself. It's a short-term relief, essentially a "stay of execution," allowing a chance to challenge the conviction or seek mercy, unlike a pardon (full forgiveness) or remission (sentence reduction).
What does reprieve mean in simple terms?
A reprieve is a temporary delay or suspension of a punishment, especially a death sentence, or any temporary relief from trouble or something bad, like a company getting a loan to avoid closing. Simply put, it's a "stay" or a pause from an impending negative consequence, not its cancellation.
What is a reprieve in the constitution?
Reprieve means the temporary suspension or delay in the implementation of a criminal sentence ordered by the court. During the time of the reprieve, the implementation of the sentence is postponed. Nevertheless, that does not imply that the sentencing and its legal effects are no longer enforceable.
What is the meaning of reprieve by the president?
Reprieve: It implies a stay of the execution of a sentence (especially that of death) for a temporary period. Its purpose is to enable the convict to have time to seek pardon or commutation from the President.
What does Article 72 of the Constitution deal with?
Article 72 empowers the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.
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What is the meaning of the terms reprieve, pardon, and commute?
A commutation is generally defined as a lessening of the criminal penalty, whereas a pardon is often defined as the termination of the criminal penalty. The Governor also has the power to issue a reprieve (also called a stay of execution or a "respite") to temporarily delay the imposition of a death sentence.
What is the difference between reprieve and respite?
Reprieve: Temporary suspension of the sentence. Respite: Lessening the term of the sentence. Remission: Lessening the amount of the sentence. Commutation: Changing the type of punishment.
What is an example of a presidential reprieve?
Many mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters traveled to the White House to plead for their loved ones who were in trouble—frequently jailed for desertion or held as prisoners of war. This note is an example of a reprieve granted by the president: “Let this man take the oath of Dec. 8, 1863 & be discharged.
What rights do you have in a reprieve?
A reprieve is a temporary delay in carrying out a death penalty. It does not change the original sentence but allows for further investigation. Reprieves are important legal protections in capital punishment cases. Consulting a legal professional is crucial if facing execution.
How does Article 72 affect citizens?
Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit, or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offense in specific cases.
What is the purpose of a reprieve?
A Reprieve is the temporary suspension of a prison sentence to release an offender under conditions which, if violated, permit his re-imprisonment. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles will consider granting compassionate and medical reprieves.
Who cannot be pardoned by the president?
The President of the United States may pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the United States. They may also pardon anyone who commits a federal offense against the District of Columbia. The president cannot grant pardons for violations of state laws.
What is a synonym for the word reprieve?
Common synonyms for "reprieve" include pardon, stay, postponement, suspension, respite, suspension, delay, clemency, mercy, abatement, remission, amnesty, and release, all suggesting a temporary break, delay, or cancellation of punishment or hardship. Depending on the context, words like pause, hiatus, or breather work for general relief, while legal terms like pardon or commutation fit criminal contexts.
What is a reprieve in politics?
Reprieves - What They Are and How They Work
The reprieve power is a much narrower power than the pardon. It means to delay the punishment of someone and is a temporary power of the President to determine if other options are available for the person in question. It is the most limited of the clemency powers.
What is the difference between a presidential reprieve and a pardon?
Compared to a pardon, a reprieve is not as broad in its legal effect. It is mainly used to reduce or commute a criminal sentence, but does not erase the crime from a person's record and thus does not restore lost rights like a pardon can.
What is the best definition of reprieve?
1. : to delay the punishment of (someone, such as a condemned prisoner) 2. : to give relief or deliverance to for a time. reprieve.
What is the power to reprieve?
In the United States, federal pardons are granted only by the president, pursuant to authority under the U.S. Constitution to grant "reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States".
What is a legal pardon or reprieve?
A pardon is distinguished from "a commutation of sentence" which cuts short the term; "a reprieve," which is a temporary halt to punishment, particularly the death penalty, pend- ing appeal or determination of whether the penalty should be reduced; "amnesty," which is a blanket "forgetting" of possible criminal charges ...
Who gave the presidential pardon to Robin Padilla?
He would later be granted an absolute pardon by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016. Padilla was elected to the Senate in the 2022 elections, earning the second most number of votes in a senate election in Philippine history.
Why are presidents allowed to pardon people?
The presidential pardon power was inspired by a British law meant to protect the unjustly accused. It was for this reason that Federalist Alexander Hamilton advocated successfully for a presidential pardon power that did not require judicial or Senate approval.
What crimes cannot be pardoned?
Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardon for federal offenses, including those obtained in the United States District Courts, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and military courts-martial. The President cannot pardon a state criminal offense.
What powers does Article 72 grant?
Power of President to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases.
Is reprieve positive or negative?
A reprieve is generally considered positive, as it offers a temporary delay or respite from something negative, like a punishment (especially the death penalty) or hardship, creating a chance for relief, appeal, or a better outcome, though the underlying threat usually remains unless further action is taken.