Pardon
In short
A pardon is an official government decision that relieves a person of the legal consequences of a criminal conviction. It can be granted either before or after a person is found guilty.
In plain words
It is a way for the state to forgive a crime. This means the person no longer has to face certain punishments or legal restrictions. It is often used to fix mistakes made by the justice system.
A simple example
If a person is sent to prison for a crime they did not commit, the government can issue a pardon to set them free. This removes their criminal record for that specific offence.
Why it matters
Pardons act as a safety net when the regular court system fails. They allow the government to correct injustices or show mercy in special cases.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse a pardon with an acquittal, which is a verdict that a person is not guilty.