'Treason' As Defined In The United States...

I don't know if any of you are interested in stuff like this. But if you don't learn it here, where would you? Think about it.

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."

"The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."

U.S. CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE III, SECTION 3, CLAUSES 1 & 2.

The U.S. definition of treason is very limited. In europe at the time, simply harming your monarch or sovereign was an act of treason. Not so in the U.S.

Also, it says "...but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted...." In ancient England, when a person was found guilty of treason, their very blood was deemed corrupt. This meant they took away the wealth and titles of your family members too. In the U.S. this injustice practice is abolished, because no one should be held accountable for the crimes of their ancestors, if they are in fact innocent of the crime themselves. Although up until the time the traitor (as their called) is executed, they can take away their assets. After that, it becomes their children's inheritance. So they must leave it alone (i.e., "...except during the Life of the Person attainted...."). And BTW, "attainder" is simply an obsolete word for traitor, since such a person bore the "taint" or mark of infamy for treason. We don't use that word, or the word "traitor" anymore. But the term still appears in the U.S. Constitution.

Another interesting note. Did you know that treason is one of only three crimes that must require an overt act? The other two are attempt and conspiracy. Now that would make a good question on the exam in a law class. Because who would know that? People just don't get arrested for treason anymore, you know.