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