Treason and the Corruption of Blood
Jun 23, 2024 11:34:12 GMT -8
Post by The Ninevite on Jun 23, 2024 11:34:12 GMT -8
Treason: the crime of "adhering to the enemy and rendering him aid and comfort". Under the U.S. Constitution, treason may only consist of levying war against the United States or adhering to its enemies and giving them aid and comfort, and a person may only be convicted of treason upon the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act or on a confession in open court. While congress may punish the person convicted of treason, it may not "work corruption of blood" or forfeiture except during the life of the person attained.
In England, corruption of blood as a punishment resulted in the disinheritance of the convict's children and the forfeiture of the convict's property to the crown. The U.S. Constitution prohibits this punishment in order to prevent the injustice of innocent children suffering for the offence of their ancestor. Congress had adopted the constitutional definition of treason by making it a crime punishable by death, by imprisonment of not less than five years, and by a prohibition against holding public office.
In England, corruption of blood as a punishment resulted in the disinheritance of the convict's children and the forfeiture of the convict's property to the crown. The U.S. Constitution prohibits this punishment in order to prevent the injustice of innocent children suffering for the offence of their ancestor. Congress had adopted the constitutional definition of treason by making it a crime punishable by death, by imprisonment of not less than five years, and by a prohibition against holding public office.