Pardon 不等於無罪

A pardon is an executive order granting clemency for a conviction. It may be granted "at any time" after the commission of the crime.^[12] As per Justice Department regulations, convicted persons may only apply five or more years after their sentence has been completed.^[13] However, the President's power to pardon is not restricted by any temporal constraints except that the crime must have been committed. A pardon is an expression of the President's forgiveness and ordinarily is granted in recognition of the applicant's acceptance of responsibility for the crime and established good conduct for a significant period of time after conviction or completion of sentence. It does not signify innocence.^[14]