What is defined as an executive act of clemency that reduces or cancels punishment?

The correct answer is a pardon, which is an executive act of clemency that removes or diminishes the legal consequences of a conviction. A pardon generally restores the individual’s civil rights and absolves them of the guilt associated with their offense, reflecting forgiveness from the governing authority, often the president or a governor.

In the context of clemency, a pardon differs significantly from other forms of clemency such as amnesty, which typically applies to a broader group of individuals and involves forgiveness for an offense against the state, often politically motivated; commutation, which specifically shortens a sentence but does not eliminate the underlying conviction; and reprieve, which temporarily postpones a punishment but does not alter the conviction itself. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why a pardon is distinctly defined as a reduction or cancellation of punishment.