wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardon)." Those who oppose the pardon power of the president point to the royal misuse of days gone by when the U.S. was still under English rule and pardoning power was abused by members of the royal family throughout history.

Those who support the power of a president to pardon believe it is an elected power with regard to the United States and as such the people have provided the power to their elected president to make pardons available to those he or she sees fit.

A pardon can be granted at any point following the commission of the crime including before a conviction has been handed down, but for the most part individual pardons are granted to those who have served at least part of their sentence and have already demonstrated the ability to be productive and useful citizens.

Group pardons are much broader and in many cases have incited much more in the way of...

While it appears at first glance to be a serious power for one person to have it is given to the person the United States public has entrusted to guide the nation in all aspects of life.
References

Pardons and clemency in the United States (accessed 4-10-07)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pardon

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON POWER (accessed 4-10-07) http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju71180.000/hju71180_0f.htm

Black, Eric (2001)Presidential pardoning power harks back to right of royalty; Presidential pardons were endorsed by the founding fathers and the U.S. Supreme Court.(NEWS)

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)