Crime, Royal Prerogative, and the Pardon Power of the American President
The ancient prerogative of the British monarch to pardon crimes is now effectively defunct. The American president retains constitutional pardon power, but the U.S. Supreme Court says it is coextensive with the power of the British crown in 1787. Can a better understanding of 18th Century British kingship and pardon practice help prevent misuses of the pardon power by modern U.S. presidents?
