Legal Definitions - high crime

A high crime refers to a serious offense, particularly one committed by a public official, that involves an abuse of power, a breach of public trust, or a significant violation of duties owed to the state or its citizens. Unlike ordinary crimes that might be committed by any individual, "high crimes" often imply misconduct in an official capacity, threatening the integrity of government or public institutions. This term is most famously used in the context of impeachment proceedings against government officials.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: A state governor uses their official position to award lucrative government contracts to a company owned by their family members, despite the company being unqualified and charging inflated prices. The governor then receives a significant portion of the profits through a hidden arrangement.

  Explanation: This would be considered a high crime because the governor, a public official, has engaged in a profound abuse of power and a breach of public trust. They have used their office for personal financial gain at the expense of the public, undermining fair governance and the integrity of public procurement processes.

• Example 2: A federal judge accepts large sums of money and lavish gifts from a powerful corporation in exchange for consistently ruling in their favor in multiple complex legal cases, even when the evidence clearly supports the opposing party.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a high crime because the judge, a pillar of the justice system, has fundamentally betrayed their oath to uphold the law impartially. Accepting bribes to manipulate legal outcomes is a severe abuse of judicial power and a direct assault on the fairness and integrity of the legal system, constituting a grave breach of public trust.

• Example 3: A cabinet secretary orders their subordinates to destroy critical documents and falsify records to cover up their department's role in a major environmental disaster, thereby obstructing a congressional investigation into the incident.

  Explanation: This action qualifies as a high crime because the cabinet secretary, a high-ranking public official, is actively obstructing justice and attempting to conceal official wrongdoing. This represents a serious abuse of their authority and a profound dereliction of their duty to transparency and accountability, directly undermining the government's ability to investigate and address public harm.