The President is granted the pardon power under Article II, section 2 of the Constitution. Since 1894 it has been the responsibility of the Office of the Pardon Attorney in the Department of Justice to provide the President with recommendations for the exercise of the executive clemency power, which applies only to federal criminal offenses. Clemency may involve issuing pardons, commuting sentences, remitting fines or restitution, or granting a reprieve.