http://sythe.org/forumdisplay.php?f=534 How many people can just say they did something wrong, and then get away with it? If admitting you have broken rules gets you pardoned, then what's the point in having the rules?
Most of them are denied. The ones that are pardoned have usually contributed a lot to the site and the staff believe they won't make the same mistake again.
Maybe you're misunderstanding. I'm talking about the people who admit they did wrong, not the people really requesting pardons. One person did it, tons of others are following. If you admit you did something wrong, and come forth with it, why does it seem to be a get out of jail free card? Because you're showing how different you are from back then? When it comes down to it they're just saying what they did before somebody else digs up their little secret.
A trade with caution is something people flaunt these days. Either way, I personally take the same precautions with any trade I do with somebody I don't know.