[larrymcp]

I agree with the example given in the sibling comment, and this is why the framers believed there needed to be a final “safety valve” outside the courts. Legal systems are imperfect, and sometimes a pardon is the only practical way to remedy an egregious error.

Another example where pardons might be useful is when laws are changed after sentencing. If the new law does not provide for retroactive adjustments, a president or governor can grant clemency in order to correct disparities in sentencing outcomes.

[rjrjrjrj]

Too bad the safety valve is corrupt and dishonest.

[saghm]

So is the judiciary at times

[rjrjrjrj]

The judicial branch has a set of laws, a system of appeals, etc. Perfect? No.

But decidedly better than an incurious buffoon arbitrarily handing out get of jail cards in exchange for political gain and/or self-enrichment.

[saghm]

Given who's sitting at the top of the judiciary right now, the main difference is that there are a slightly larger but still single digit number of buffoons who handed the buffoon you're talking about his get out of jail card for their politican gain and self-enrichment.