Cassandra Collins
Commutation by Barack Obama
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- District
- Western District of Louisiana
- Original Sentence
- 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (Terms: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.)
- 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
Cassandra Collins was convicted in the Western District of Louisiana for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Her prison sentence was commuted on the condition that she enroll in residential drug treatment, with her release set for January 19, 2019.
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 a pardon would. Collins remained subject to the 10-year supervised release term and the condition of residential drug treatment, and her criminal record was not expunged. 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.