Acta Iuris Stetinensis

Previously: Zeszyty Naukowe. Roczniki Prawnicze


ISSN: 2083-4373    eISSN: 2545-3181    OAI    DOI: 10.18276/ais.2025.55-06
CC BY-SA   Open Access   DOAJ  ERIH PLUS  DOAJ

Issue archive / 4/2025 (55)
The Presidential pardon in Lithuania and Poland: comparative analysis

Authors: Justyna Levon ORCID
Faculty of Law, Vilnius University

Gintaras Švedas ORCID
Faculty of Law, Vilnius University
Keywords: pardon clemency criminal policy Lithuania Poland
Whole issue publication date:2025
Page range:30 (93-122)
Cited-by (Crossref) ?:
Downloads ?: 325

Abstract

The article revealed and compared the concept of pardon and the scope and of its application to individuals and punishments (as well as other penal measures) in Lithuania and Poland. In addition, the article analyzed the regulation of the process of granting pardon and its features in these countries, revealed the competence of the Clemency Commission in Lithuania as well as the competence of other state institutions in Poland (for example, Public Prosecutor General, courts, etc.) in the process of granting pardon by the heads of states – presidents. Moreover, the article discussed the significance of pardon for the criminal policy pursued by Poland and Lithuania. To achieve the objectives of the article, the following legal research methods were used: legal analysis and systemic and comparative analysis. Authors came to a conclusion, that in both countries, pardon is mainly analyzed in criminal justice and constitutional law. It is usually described as an institution of exceptional nature or an instrument aimed at helping to implement the principles of humanism and justice. On the other hand, Lithuania and Poland have introduced different models of pardon proceedings. Irrespective, it is only the President in both these countries who decides whether to grant a pardon. It is understood as part of the national criminal policy. However, the statistics of pardon applications in both states only confirmed the exclusivity of this institution and its minor influence on the criminal policy.
Download file

Article file

Bibliography

1.Abramavičius A. et al., Baudžiamoji teisė. Bendroji dalis, Vilnius 2001.
2.Adamus R., Prawo łaski, skąd się wzięło, jak je stosowano na ziemiach polskich i co dziś może zrobić prezydent – analiza profesora prawa, 2024, wyborcza.pl, https://wyborcza.pl/7,162657,30593846,prawo-laski-skad-sie-wzielo-jak-je-stosowano-na-ziemiach--polskich.html.
3.Andriulis V., Mockevičius R., Valeckaitė V. (eds.), Lietuvos valstybės teisės aktai (Registe of Legal Acts) 1918.02.16–1940.06.15, Vilnius 1996.
4.Arifi B., The Legal Reasoning of the President’s Right to Issue Pardons, “SEEU Review” 2017, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 32–61.
5.Baranskaitė A., Amnestijos ir malonės institutai baudžiamojo teisinio poveikio priemonių sistemoje pagal dabar galiojantį ir naująjį Lietuvos Respublikos baudžiamuosius kodeksus, “Teisė” 2001, Vol. 41, pp. 7–18.
6.Barkow M.E., Osler M., Clemency, “Annual Review of Criminology” 2024, Vol. 7, pp. 311–327.
7.Brodowski L., Ustrojowy charakter prawa łaski i amnestii w kontekście instytucji ekstradycji, “Przegląd Prawa Konstytucyjnego” 2023, No. 3, pp. 75–89.
8.D. Grybauskaitę dėl malonės suklaidinusios teisininkės išėjo iš darbo Prezidentūroje, 2013, BNS, https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/lietuva/d-grybauskaite-del-malones-suklaid inusios-teisininkes-isejo-is-darbo-prezidenturoje-n755587.
9.Foster M.A., Presidential Pardons: Overview and Selected Legal Issues, “Congressional Research Service” 2020, https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R46179.
10.Freed D.J., Chanenson S.L., Pardon Power and Sentencing Policy, “Federal Sentencing Reporter” 2000–2001, Vol. 13, No. 3–4, pp. 119–124, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/fsr.2000.13.3-4.119?seq=1.
11.Kardas P., Giezek J., Konstytucyjne podstawy prezydenckiego prawa łaski a możliwość stosowania tzw. abolicji indywidualnej, “Palestra” 2016, No. 1/2, pp. 21–39.
12.Kędzierski J., Prawo łaski a tzw. abolicja indywidualna – rozważania pro publico bono, “Palestra” 2016, No. 1/2, pp. 4–45.
13.Kobil D.T., Should Clemency Decisions be Subject to a Reasons Requirement?, “Federal Sentencing Reporter” 2000–2001, Vol. 13, No. 3–4, pp. 150–153.
14.Kusik P., International Media Coverage of Domestic Legal News: The Case of the Dispute over the Presidential Pardon Power in Poland, “International Journal for the Semiotics of Law – Revue Internationale de Sémiotique Juridique” 2024, Vol. 37, pp. 2433–2463.
15.Lithuania amends law allowing review of life sentences, 07.06.2019, CoE, https://www.coe.int/en/web/execution/-/lithuania-amends-law-allowing-review-of-life-sentences.
16.Lithuanian Prison Service Annual Reports 2018–2024, https://kalejimai.lrv.lt/lt/administracine-informacija/ataskaitos/metu/.
17.Marek A., Prawo karne. 8th edition, Warsaw 2007.
18.Meyer B., Stanford’s Bernie Meyler on Presidential Pardons: The History, the Controversy, and the Realities. Q&A with Professors Richard Thompson Ford and Pam Karlan, 18.12.2024, SLS, https://law.stanford.edu/2024/12/18/stanfords-bernie-meyler-onpresidential-pardons-the-history-the-controversy-and-the-realities/.
19.Ndamungu I.O., The Paradox of the Presidential Power of Pardon: Tanzania, “Perspective.
20.International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications” 2020, Vol. 10, No. 9,pp. 196–216.
21.Nikartas S., Čepas A., Laisvės atėmimo iki gyvos galvos bausmė Lietuvoje (I): refleksija žmogaus teisių standartų kontekste, “Teisės problemos” 2014, Vol. 2, No. 84, pp. 5–25.
22.Novak A., Pascoe D., Executive Clemency During the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Global Anaysis of Law and Practice, “International Criminology” 2022, Vol. 2, pp. 84–97, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43576-022-00047-0.
23.O’Donnell I., For and Against Clemency, in: O’Donnell, Justice, Mercy, and Caprice: Clemency and the Death Penalty in Ireland, Oxford 2017, pp. 72–76.
24.Piesliakas V., Lietuvos baudžiamoji teisė. Pirmoji knyga. Antroji pataisyta laida, Vilnius 2009.
25.Pracki H., Funkcjonowanie prawa łaski w Polsce i innych krajach europejskich, Warsaw 2003.
26.Prezidentė suteikė malonę trims kaliniams, tarp jų ir nuteistam iki gyvos galvos, 2012, Balsas.lt, https://www.tv3.lt/naujiena/lietuva/prezidente-suteike-malone-trims-kalin iams-tarp-ju-ir-nuteistam-iki-gyvos-galvos-n596975.
27.Radajewski M., Czy Prezydent RP może ułaskawić osobę nieskazaną prawomocnym wyrokiem sądu, Strefa Prawna Uniwersytetu SWPS, https://
28.web.swps.pl/strefa-prawa/artykuly/17103-czy-prezydent-rp-moze-ulaskawic-osobe-nieskazana-prawomocnym-wyrokiem-sadu#:~:text=Prawo%20%C5%82aski%20 zos t a%C5%82o%20pr z ewidz i a ne%20w%20 a r t .%20139%20Konstytucji,stosuje%20si%C4%99%20do%20os%C3%B3b%20skazanych%20przez%20Trybuna%C5%82%20Stanu%E2%80%9D.
29.Rogoziński P., Instytucja ułaskawienia w prawie polskim, Warszawa 2009.
30.Sakalauskas G., Non-custodial Sanctions and Measures in Lithuania: a Large Bouquet with a Questionable Purpose and Unclear Effectiveness. Promoting Non-discriminatory Alternatives to Imprisonment across Europe. Non-custodial sanctions and measures in the member states of the European Union, Coimbra 2021.
31.Sakalauskas G., Bikelis S., Laisvės atėmimu iki gyvos galvos nuteisto asmens lygtinis paleidimas:tarptautiniai standartai, užsienio šalių patirtis ir pasiūlymai Lietuvai, “Teisės problemos” 2008, Vol. 4, No. 62, pp. 23–66.
32.Sakalauskas G., Bikelis S., Pocienė A., Kalpokas V., Baudžiamoji politika Lietuvoje: tendencijos ir lyginamieji aspektai, Vilnius 2012.
33.Sinkevičius D., Reikėjo laukti net 20 metų: “Pakelių maniakas“ Jonaitis atsiprašė už sukeltą skausmą, Delfi dienos naujienos, 2021, https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/lithuania/reikejo-laukti-net-20-metu-pakeliu-maniakas-jonaitis-atsiprase-uzsukelta-skausma-88830563.
34.Smaga A., Sytuacja prawna osoby ułaskawionej przez Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej,“Biuletyn Stowarzyszenia Absolwentów i Przyjaciół Wydziału Prawa Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego” 2023, Vol. XVIII, No. 20 (1), pp. 157–175.
35.Spaičienė J. et al., Introduction to Lithuanian Criminal Law, Vilnius 2011.
36.Šileikis E., Alternatyvi konstitucinė teisė, Vilnius 2005.
37.Švedas G. et al., Lietuvos Respublikos baudžiamojo kodekso komentaras. Bendroji dalis (1–98 straipsniai), Vilnius 2004.
38.Švedas G., Baudžiamosios politikos pagrindai ir tendencijos Lietuvos Respublikoje, Vilnius 2006.
39.Švedas G., Bausmių vykdymo teisė. Bendroji dalis (2-oji papildyta ir pataisyta laida), Vilnius 2013.
40.Švedas G. et al., Lietuvos Respublikos baudžiamojo kodekso bendrosios dalies vientisumo ir naujovių suderinimo iššūkiai, Vilnius 2017.
41.Švedas G., Prapiestis J., Abramavičius A., Lietuvos baudžiamoji teisė. Bendroji dalis. Antroji knyga, Vilnius 2020.
42.Švedas G., Criminal Law in Lithuania, Netherlands 2022.
43.Švedas G., Atleidimo nuo baudžiamosios atsakomybės instituto reikšmė Lietuvos baudžiamajai politikai, “Teisė” 2024, Vol. 133, pp. 25–41.
44.Tait D., Pardons in Perspective: the Role of Forgiveness in Criminal Justice, “Federal Sentencing Reporter” 2000–2001, Vol. 13, No. 3–4 (Pardon Power and Sentencing Policy), pp. 134–138.
45.Trump tweets he has “absolute right” to pardon himself, but says he wouldn’t use it, 4.06.2018, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-tweets-he-hasabsolute-right-to-pardon-himself-but-says-he-wouldnt-use-it/.
46.Waltoś S., Proces karny. Zarys systemu. 10th edition, Warszawa 2009.
47.Warylewski J., Prawo karne. Część ogólna. 6th edition, Warszawa 2015.
48.Zeppa-Priedite V., Dobelnieks J., Raulušaitis D., Nasvytė U., Reflections on News from the USA on the Criminal conviction of Mr Donald Trump, “The Baltic Times” 2025, https://www.baltictimes.com/reflections_on_news_from_the_usa__on_the_criminal_conviction_of_mr_donald_trump/.