5 Key Terms

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Court order to prison official or other person who has restrained the liberty of a person, to bring that person before the court so that it can be shown that there is appropriate cause to hold that person in custody

Latin: “You have the body”From English common law

Bill of Attainder

• A legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial.

• Laud• U.S. v. Brown• Bail-out bonus

Ex post facto laws

• “after the fact”

• laws adopted after an act is committed making it illegal although it was legal when done

• Domestic abuse/gun act• Sex offender registration

Constitution(and also state constitutions)

• Restriction on the right to a writ of habeas corpus only in extraordinary times.

• NO bills of attainder or ex post facto laws

impeach

• to accuse

• to formally accuse a public official of wrong-doing

• Indictment

House of Representatives impeachesSenate tries and convicts or acquits

Presidential Impeachment

• Impeached but not convicted

• Resigned to avoid impeachment

treason

• Constitution has a narrow definition:

consist only in levying War against themconsist only in levying War against them

{the United States}, {the United States},

or in adhering to their Enemies, or in adhering to their Enemies,

giving them Aid and Comfort giving them Aid and Comfort