Definition Of High Crimes And Misdemeanors

Where did the term come from.

Definition of high crimes and misdemeanors. According to the u s. What constitutes high crimes and misdemeanors. Rather as the committee staff observed in its careful study of the question high crimes and misdemeanors is a phrase that reaches far beyond crimes to embrace exceeding the powers of the. Constitution a president can be impeached for committing treason bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors treason and bribery are relatively clear but what exactly.

The phrase was historically used to cover a very broad range of crimes. High crimes and misdemeanors are not limited to actual crimes but extend to an abuse or violation of the public trust in carrying out presidential duties. It defines high crimes and misdemeanors as any serious abuse of power including both legal and illegal activities. So under this interpretation high crimes and misdemeanors would refer to any crime which is not the case.

Misdemeanors is a class of crimes the other class being felonies. The phrase high crimes and misdemeanors used together was a common phrase when the u s. Constitution was written and did not require any stringent or difficult criteria for determining guilt but meant the opposite. About job opportunities at aei.

Or other high crimes and misdemeanors is a confusing phrase. Supporters of this reading believe that because impeachment is a public inquiry first and fore most it is appropriate to read the phrase broadly in order to provide the most thorough inquiry possible.