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Simple English definitions for legal terms

bill of attainder

Read a random definition: Roman law

A quick definition of bill of attainder:

A bill of attainder is a law that says someone is guilty of a crime without giving them a fair trial. This is not allowed in the United States because it goes against the Constitution. The Constitution says that bills of attainder are not allowed because they let the government punish people without going through the right process. Courts use a test to see if a law is a bill of attainder. They look at whether the law punishes someone, targets specific people, and takes away their legal protections. If a law is a bill of attainder, it is not allowed.

A more thorough explanation:

A bill of attainder is a type of law that declares a person or group guilty of a crime without a trial. This means that the government can punish someone without giving them a fair chance to defend themselves in court. In the United States, bills of attainder are not allowed because they violate the Constitution.

For example, imagine that the government passes a law that says John Smith is guilty of stealing a car. Even though John has not been to court and found guilty, he is now considered a criminal and can be punished. This is not fair because John did not have a chance to defend himself in court.

The Constitution says that bills of attainder are not allowed because they go against the idea of separation of powers. This means that the government cannot take on the role of the courts and punish people without a fair trial.

To determine if a law is a bill of attainder, courts use a three-part test:

  1. The law inflicts punishment.
  2. The law targets specific named or identifiable individuals or groups.
  3. Those individuals or groups would otherwise have judicial protections.

For example, if a law says that all people with the last name Smith are not allowed to vote, this would be a bill of attainder because it targets a specific group of people and takes away their right to vote without a fair trial.

bill | bill of exceptions

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medicine is a scam
join the ethically ambiguous legal field instead
Dkk
18:57
I want to meet an attorney that defends clients who run into flat earth problems. I want an attorney that knows and believes in flat earth theory.
19:05
i want a flat earther for president. i want a guy who posts on 4chan for president. i want someone who mogs for president.
Dkk
19:18
Exactly. My version of that awful poem.
Dkk
19:19
I can accept a president with maybe one or two of the poems traits hut good God, all of them??? No ty.
windyMagician
19:20
president who respects sex is crazy
windyMagician
19:20
we had bill clinton already
Dkk
19:21
Bill Clinton, first and last black president
windyMagician
19:23
I want to go running but my leg feels weird
windyMagician
19:23
it doesn't hurt its just tingly
Dkk
19:26
It needs more alcohol. You tingle when your nerves need watering.
19:27
try stretching it maybe to see what's up
windyMagician
19:27
stretches make me think it's just soreness
windyMagician
19:27
I'm sober lol
Dkk
19:38
Anyone else get the google notification that your LSD password has been compromised lol. LSD got hacked.
20:48
what.jpg @Dkk
CynicalOops
21:03
You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?
jackfrost11770
21:10
nope dk
CynicalOops
22:37
Calvinamala Harris
jackfrost11770
23:16
should i start using letterboxed again
Dkk
23:25
@jackfrost11770: if you want but like it aint for me
dk do u ever eat at bk
Dkk
23:48
@chickenburgahfart: I would do that in the Army if really desperate for food or if I had to work through lunch. One of the few fast food places I go to.
bk so slept on
Dkk
0:23
I will take In N Out everyday over it when I can though.
texaslawhopefully
1:22
In N Out is not only the best fast food place, but the prices too are fantastic
Dkk
1:27
Indeed, indeed.
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