Respite
Definition
A reduced sentence granted because of a special fact about the offender, such as pregnancy, physical disability or a specific medical condition, rather than a general amnesty or scheme.
Related terms
- Commutation
- Substitution of a lesser form of punishment for the one originally imposed, most often a death sentence converted to life imprisonment or...
- Executive Clemency
- The umbrella term for every form of post-conviction mercy exercised by a head of state, head of government, governor or minister rather...
- Pardon
- The most complete form of clemency; it wipes out both the sentence and, in most systems, the conviction and its disqualifications, restoring...
- Remission
- A reduction of the unserved part of a sentence, granted by the appropriate government under statute; the conviction and the original sentence...
- Reprieve
- A temporary stay of the execution of a sentence, typically a death sentence, granted to allow time for a petition, appeal or...