Final answer:
A criminal may request a 'commutation' to reduce their sentence if a full pardon is not granted. Governors and U.S. presidents can commute sentences as an act of mercy or in cases where the punishment seems too harsh. Commutations can also be a result of plea bargains.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a full pardon has not been granted, a criminal may request a commutation of their sentence to reduce it. This request can be made if there are doubts about the person's guilt, concerns about mental health, or reason to believe that the punishment was excessively harsh.
Governors and U.S. presidents have the authority to grant a pardon, which absolves someone of blame for a crime, or to commute sentences, thereby reducing the time an individual must serve. This can also occur as part of a plea bargain, where the defendant pleas guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter punishment, waiving the right to a full trial and an appeal.