Which provision prohibits punishing individuals without a judicial trial?

Which provision prohibits punishing individuals without a judicial trial?

• A. Commerce Clause
• B. Procedural Due Process
• C. Bill of Attainder
• D. 1st Amendment

Answer: (C)

A bill of attainder prohibits punishing people without a judicial trial. A bill of attainder is a legislative act that imposes punishment on a specific person or group without the benefit of a fair trial. To prevent government overreach and protect due process, the Constitution bars such acts at both the federal level (Article I, Section 9) and the states (Article I, Section 10). The other options govern different concepts—regulating commerce, ensuring fair procedures before depriving rights, and protecting fundamental freedoms—none address punishing individuals without a trial the way a bill of attainder does.

A bill of attainder prohibits punishing people without a judicial trial. A bill of attainder is a legislative act that imposes punishment on a specific person or group without the benefit of a fair trial. To prevent government overreach and protect due process, the Constitution bars such acts at both the federal level (Article I, Section 9) and the states (Article I, Section 10). The other options govern different concepts—regulating commerce, ensuring fair procedures before depriving rights, and protecting fundamental freedoms—none address punishing individuals without a trial the way a bill of attainder does.