Darryl Chambers
Pardon by Joseph R. Biden Jr.
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to possess cocaine and cocaine base "crack" with intent to distribute
- District
- District of Delaware
- Original Sentence
- 151 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (as amended) (November 17, 1998)
- Clemency Type
- Pardon — full forgiveness, restores civil rights
Case Overview & Context
Plain-English summary of the case and the legal context for this type of clemency
Case Overview
Darryl Chambers was convicted of conspiracy to possess cocaine and cocaine base ‘crack’ with intent to distribute in the District of Delaware. He received a sentence of 151 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release, which has since been amended.
Pardon Context
A pardon is an executive order that removes the legal consequences of a conviction. It does not erase the original record of guilt, but it restores certain rights and prevents further punishment related to that offense. This action means Mr. Chambers’ conviction stands, but he is no longer subject to the penalties associated with it.
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.