A commuted sentence means a punishment in a criminal case has been reduced or changed to a lighter one. It does not mean the person is found innocent. It simply means the original sentence is replaced with a less severe one, often by a judge or government official.
People usually use this term when talking about prison terms, fines, or other legal penalties. For example, someone may have their death sentence commuted to life in prison, or a long prison term reduced to a shorter one. It is a common term in news reports and legal discussions.
Meaning & Usage
In everyday English, “commuted sentence” means a punishment has been made less harsh. It is often used when a higher authority decides to show mercy or reconsider the penalty.
Examples
“The governor commuted his sentence from 20 years to 10 years.”
“Her death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.”
What does it mean if a sentence is commuted?
It means the original punishment has been reduced to a lighter one.
Is a commuted sentence the same as being pardoned?
No. A commuted sentence reduces the punishment, but a pardon is a legal forgiveness for the crime.
Who can commute a sentence?
It depends on the country, but it is usually a judge, governor, president, or other legal authority.
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