Opinion No. (1996)

REQUESTED BY: Senator Chris Beutler You have asked whether the Nebraska Pardons Board can commute a death sentence to a sentence of life without parole. We conclude that the Nebraska Pardons Board has the absolute power of pardon under the Nebraska Constitution and that the Board may commute a sentence to any lesser sentence or may issue a complete pardon to the offender.

Article IV, § 13 of the Nebraska Constitution provides in part:

"The Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State, sitting as a Board, shall have power to remit fines and forfeitures and to grant respites, reprieves,…