bill of attainder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bill of attainder" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to a legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial. Example: "The Constitution prohibits the enactment of a bill of attainder, ensuring that no one can be punished without due process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

pass any Bill of Attainder [or] ex post facto Law..

Cornell University

pass any Bill of Attainder, [or] ex post facto Law.

Cornell University

Such an act obviously would be proscribed as a bill of attainder, forbidden by Art.

Cornell University

And see Comment, The Supreme Court's Bill of Attainder Doctrine: A Need for Clarification, 54 Calif.L.Rev.

Cornell University

James's adherence to Roman Catholicism caused the English Parliament to pass a bill of attainder against him in 1701.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pym therefore introduced a bill of attainder (i.e., a summary condemnation to death by special act of Parliament).

Encyclopedia Britannica

I, § 10 of the Constitution which provides that 'No state shall * * * pass any bill of attainder.' See United States v. Lovett, 328 U.S. 303, 315—318, 66 S.Ct.

Cornell University

The Private Securities Litigation Securities Reform Act of 1995 was virtually a bill of attainder against a discrete group of lawyers.

Harvard University

Nevertheless, he argues that the Chadha result may be defensible on narrower bill of attainder or usurpation-of-judicial futnction grounds.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

On Tuesday, Judge Nina Gershon of Federal District Court in Brooklyn issued a one-page order supporting Acorn's challenge to the legislation on bill-of-attainder grounds.

The New York Times

"The point of the bill-of-attainder clause is not simply to protect individual people, but to express a structural principle not to engage in trial by legislature".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure clarity by explaining the meaning of "bill of attainder" if your audience may not be familiar with the legal term.

Common error

Avoid using "bill of attainder" loosely to describe any law that negatively impacts a specific group. The term specifically refers to legislative acts that impose punishment without a trial. Ensure the legislation truly bypasses judicial process before applying the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bill of attainder" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of legislative action. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in legal and historical contexts, consistent with its definition as a legislative determination imposing punishment without trial.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bill of attainder" is a noun phrase referring to a legislative act that punishes an individual or group without a judicial trial. As Ludwig confirms, this term is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in academic, legal, and historical contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, understanding its specific scope to avoid misapplication. The U.S. Constitution expressly prohibits such legislative actions, reflecting the importance of due process and fair trial. Familiarity with the term and its implications is vital for those studying or working in law, history, or political science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Legislative punishment without trial

Explains the meaning of the phrase by describing the key elements of the action.

Law imposing punishment without trial

Replaces the specific legal term with a more descriptive phrase.

Attainder

Shorter form of the phrase, implying the same meaning within a specific legal context.

Punishment by legislative act

Rephrases the concept by specifying the means and the action, rather than using the legal term.

Legislative judgment of guilt

Emphasizes that the legislature acts as the judge, determining guilt.

Legislative condemnation

Focuses on the legislative aspect of the action, omitting the 'attainder' or punishment aspect.

Bill of pains and penalties

Refers to a similar legislative act but with punishments less severe than death.

Summary condemnation by Parliament

Highlights the speed and lack of due process in the condemnation.

Congressional act of condemnation

Highlights the specific legislative body involved in the condemnation.

Act of proscription

Uses a more general term for banning or condemning, applicable to a broader range of situations.

FAQs

What is a "bill of attainder"?

A "bill of attainder" is a legislative act that declares a person or group of persons guilty of some crime and punishes them, often without a judicial trial. It is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.

Where does the U.S. Constitution prohibit "bills of attainder"?

The U.S. Constitution prohibits both Congress (Article I, Section 9) and state legislatures (Article I, Section 10) from passing any "bill of attainder".

What's the difference between a "bill of attainder" and a regular law?

A "bill of attainder" is different because it directly punishes specific individuals or groups without a trial, whereas a regular law applies generally and requires due process in a court of law to determine guilt and impose punishment. A regular law can be like "ex post facto law".

What are some examples of laws that might be challenged as "bills of attainder"?

Laws that specifically target an individual or organization for punishment or disadvantage without a trial might be challenged as "bills of attainder". For example, a law preventing a specific person from holding public office or receiving government funds could potentially be seen as a "bill of attainder".