What is an absolute pardon?

An absolute pardon is defined as a complete forgiveness of a crime without any conditions attached. This means that an individual who receives an absolute pardon is fully exonerated from the consequences of the crime for which they were convicted. It restores the individual's civil rights and is akin to erasing the criminal record associated with that conviction. This type of pardon signifies a recognition that the individual has been rehabilitated or that the offense was not adequately justified by the legal system, thus allowing the person to reintegrate into society without any legal restrictions or stigma attached to their past actions.

In contrast, a release from jail under strict conditions involves supervised release and does not equate to a full pardon. Similarly, a statement identifying knowledge of a crime typically relates to admissions of guilt or acknowledgment of a crime committed, rather than legal relief. Lastly, a legal process for sentence reduction often involves alterations to the terms of punishment but does not equate to the total absolution provided by an absolute pardon.