U.S. Department
of Justice
Commutation of Sentence
The President can commute (reduce) a federal sentence and a sentence imposed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Use the commutation application to seek relief from a prison sentence, fine, or restitution.
- Download the commutation application instructions, privacy statement, and Rules Governing Petitions for Executive Clemency (PDF)
- Download the commutation application form (PDF)
- Standards for considering commutation petitions (Justice Manual Section 9-140.113)
- Special instructions pertaining to a request for commutation of a death sentence (https://www.justice.gov/pardon/apply-commutation-death-sentence)
Policies
The Office of the Pardon Attorney does not process requests for commutation (reduction) of sentences from persons convicted of offenses in military courts-martial. Military commutation requests are handled by the military branch that handled the conviction and sentencing.
Updated August 24, 2023