It is permissible to represent someone who is guilty, as long as the attorney is merely seeking to prevent him from receiving an unjust sentence.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Presidential pardons have become more ceremonial than a way to correct an unjust sentence or show forgiveness to a person who has turned their life around.

FORBES: Pardon Me, President Obama

Lawyers for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which campaigns on digital rights, said the sentence was unjust.

BBC: US 'hacktivist' jailed over AT&T network attack