| Monday, March 21, 2005 |
| Useful definitions |
Bill of Attainder:
''Bills of attainder . . . are such special acts of the legislature, as inflict capital punishments upon persons supposed to be guilty of high offences, such as treason and felony, without any conviction in the ordinary course of judicial proceedings. . . . In such cases, the legislature assumes judicial magistracy ... In short, in all such cases, the legislature exercises the highest power of sovereignty, and what may be properly deemed an irresponsible despotic discretion, being governed solely by what it deems political necessity or expediency, and too often under the influence of unreasonable fears, or unfounded suspicions.'' [Source: Findlaw.com]
Layman's redux: Laws passed for one individual, where the legislature acts as its own court. |
posted by JReid @ 10:43 AM   |
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