Michael A. Douglas
Commutation by Barack Obama
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm
- District
- Southern District of Indiana
- Original Sentence
- 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $1,500 fine (Terms: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.)
- Clemency Type
- Commutation — reduces sentence but conviction stands
Case Overview & Context
Plain-English summary of the case and the legal context for this type of clemency
Case Overview
Michael A. Douglas was convicted in the Southern District of Indiana of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison, 10 years of supervised release, and a $1,500 fine.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remainder of a prison sentence but does not erase the underlying conviction or restore civil rights like voting or gun ownership. The recipient remains subject to the original terms of supervised release and other conditions imposed by the court. The presidential clemency power under Article II of the Constitution is absolute and requires no judicial review or approval. The president's personal reasoning for this specific grant is not publicly documented.
AI-generated summary based on public clemency records. The president's specific personal reasoning for this grant is not publicly documented.
Constitutional authority: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the President “Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States.” This power is absolute for federal crimes — Congress cannot override it, and no judicial review is required. The president is not required to publish reasons for individual grants.