Government Glossary
Bill Of Attainder
A Bill Of Attainder is a law that punishes a specific person or group without a judicial trial. The Constitution forbids Congress and the states from passing bills of attainder because punishment is supposed to come through courts and due process, not legislative declaration.
Plain-English Meaning
A Bill Of Attainder is a law that punishes a specific person or group without a judicial trial. The Constitution forbids Congress and the states from passing bills of attainder because punishment is supposed to come through courts and due process, not legislative declaration.