REPRIEVE, in criminal law (from Fr. repandre, to take back), is the withdrawing of a sentence for an interval of time, by which means the execution is suspended. This may be either before or after judgment, as where the judge is not satisfied with the verdict, the evidence, or the indictment; or sometimes if any favourable circumstances appear in the character of the criminal, in order to give time to apply to the crown for either an absolute or conditional pardon.