Christopher Bernard
Commutation by Barack Obama
The Case
Facts on file from the DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney
- Offense
- Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base
- 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
Christopher Bernard was convicted in the Western District of Louisiana of distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base. He was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.
Pardon Context
A commutation reduces or eliminates the remainder of a prison sentence but does not erase the underlying conviction or restore civil rights lost due to the conviction. In this case, the sentence was shortened on the condition that the recipient enroll in residential drug treatment, meaning the conviction remains on the recipient's record and supervised release obligations continue after release. The president's clemency power under Article II of the Constitution is broad and unreviewable by courts. 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.