Reprieve

Reprieve (Fr. reprendre, 'to take back') is the suspension of punishment for a crime, and is used chiefly in connection with capital crimes. The power of suspending all sentences at any time is vested in the crown, or chief-magistrate of a republic, at discretion; and in Britain is exercised through the Home Secretary (see SECRETARY OF STATE, PARDON). There are also several grounds on which the judge or a court reprieves a sentence. Where the judge is not satisfied with the verdict, or is doubtful of the validity of the indictment, he reprieves the sentence in order to give time for some application to the crown. When the prisoner is a pregnant woman, and pleads that fact, it is proper to put off the execution of the sentence until after her delivery. When a woman pleads her pregnancy as a reason for reprieve the traditional practice is to empanel a jury of matrons, and, if they bring in a verdict of 'quick with child,' execution is stayed. Another cause of reprieve is the insanity of the prisoner, for, if before execution it appear the prisoner is insane, whether the insanity supervened after the crime or not, the judge ought to reprieve him. A reprieve is usually followed by remission or commutation of the punishment to which the prisoner has been sentenced.