Release pardon – In many jurisdictions the term “release pardon” refers to a government decision to allow a person who has been convicted of a crime, to be free and absolved of that conviction, as if never convicted – namely to be allowed to obtain by the court their clear certificate for lack of convictions. In other words he is entitled to get a document for clear conviction history. This decision is typically used to remove a criminal record against a good citizen for a small offense that may have been committed in the past, or during affected mind, or during underage period. Although procedures vary from one country to another, the request for release pardon usually involves a lengthy period of time of impeccable behavior and a reference check. It is usual rule that the more serious the crime, the longer the time requirement for excellent behavior. In the USA as well in many other countries, the power to pardon for federal offenses belongs to the President. Synonyms are the terms “justification” (n), “remission” and “vindication”.

In practice, the word participates in the legal term “release money”, used in the area of Criminal Law in many jurisdictions, where it details the money paid towards a kidnapper, in order to have a kidnapped person, or stolen item released in exchange. A synonym is ‘liberation money” or “ransom”.