What does the Bill of Attainder prohibit?

What does the Bill of Attainder prohibit?

• A. Taxes on imports
• B. Punishing individuals without a judicial trial
• C. Establishing a church
• D. Treaties with foreign nations

Answer: (B)

Protecting due process means laws cannot punish people without a court proceeding. A bill of attainder is a law passed by the legislature that punishes a specific person or group without a trial. The Constitution forbids this to ensure punishment comes only after a fair judicial process and to prevent lawmakers from bypassing the courts. The other items describe unrelated actions—tariffs on imports, establishing a church, and treaties with foreign nations—so they aren’t about punishing individuals without a trial.

Protecting due process means laws cannot punish people without a court proceeding. A bill of attainder is a law passed by the legislature that punishes a specific person or group without a trial. The Constitution forbids this to ensure punishment comes only after a fair judicial process and to prevent lawmakers from bypassing the courts. The other items describe unrelated actions—tariffs on imports, establishing a church, and treaties with foreign nations—so they aren’t about punishing individuals without a trial.