commutation

/ˈkɑmjəˌteɪʃən/

Other forms: commutations

In law, a commutation is the reduction of a punishment for a crime. After getting a commutation, an incarcerated person's original sentence of ten years in prison might be reduced to five years.

A commutation is different from a pardon, which eliminates the actual conviction. With a commutation, that record of conviction stays the same, but the punishment is reduced or even eliminated. A judge might issue a commutation after someone has expressed remorse or exhibited model behavior while being incarcerated. Commutation comes from a Latin root that means "to change."

Definitions of commutation

1. noun

   the act of putting one thing or person in the place of another: "he sent Smith in for Jones but the substitution came too late to help"
   synonyms: exchange, substitution

   types:

   replacement, replacing

   the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another

   subrogation

   (law) the act of substituting of one creditor for another

   ablactation, weaning

   the act of substituting other food for the mother's milk in the diet of a child or young mammal

   novation

   (law) the replacement of one obligation by another by mutual agreement of both parties; usually the replacement of one of the original parties to a contract with the consent of the remaining party

   pitching change

   replacing a pitcher in baseball

   supersedure, supersession

   act of replacing one person or thing by another especially one held to be superior

   displacement, supplanting

   act of taking the place of another especially using underhanded tactics

   type of:

   change

   the action of changing something
2. noun

   (law) the reduction in severity of a punishment imposed by law
   synonyms: re-sentencing

   type of:

   clemency, mercifulness, mercy

   leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
3. noun

   a warrant substituting a lesser punishment for a greater one
   type of:

   warrant

   a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts
4. noun

   the travel of a commuter
   synonyms: commuting

   type of:

   travel, traveling, travelling

   the act of going from one place to another