• MBM@lemmings.world
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    1 year ago

    As an outsider… why are presidential pardons even a thing in the first place? Why meddle with the justice system like that

    • MimicJar@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      I suppose the idea is that the justice system can still fail. Everyone can do the “right” thing but at the end of it all, it just doesn’t feel right. Another option might be to resolve issues with the justice system making the correct call at the time, but not one we agree with now.

      For example, Presidential Proclamation on Marijuana Possession, Biden declared that if you have a simple marijuana possession offense, you’re pardoned.

      Even though marijuana possession was a crime at one point, it’s silly now, so you get a pardon.

      Now technically I doubt there are many folks with ONLY a federal simple marijuana possession charge and so this applies to very few people and it doesn’t absolve them from any other convictions. However I think as the President, Biden is setting guidance for the country. Governors should see this and then act similarly to pardon state crimes. Congress should see this and implement related laws.