With regard, says Rousseau, to the prerogative of granting pardon to criminals, condemned by the laws of their country, and sentenced by the judges, it belongs only to that power, which is superiour both to the judges and the laws ? the sovereign authority.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The power to pardon criminals belongs only to the highest sovereign authority.
- In plain terms
- Only the top leader can pardon those convicted by laws and judges.
- What can you take from it?
- Reserve pardons for the highest authority only.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who checks the sovereign?
- When should pardons be used?
Another view
This concentrates too much power in one person if unchecked.
More from James Wilson
That men ought to be governed, seems to have been agreed on all hands: the reason is, that, without government, they could never attain any high or permanent s…
Permalink to quote #6 The executive power is better to be trusted when it has no screen. Sir, we have a responsibility in the person of our President; he cannot act improperly, and …
Permalink to quote #8 Every juror swears that he will give a true verdict according to his evidence. The sacred obligation of this oath demands, that to unanimity truth shall not be…
Permalink to quote #5
Related quotes
Sunt superis sua iura
OvidOvid quote #26 Wir durfen nicht zulassen, da? die Starke des Rechts durch das Recht des Starkeren ersetzt wird.
Gerhard SchroderGerhard Schroder quote #1 As an exercise of raw judicial power, the Court perhaps has authority to do what it does today; but, in my view, its judgment is an improvident and extravagant…
Byron WhiteByron White quote #1