bill of attainder

American  

noun

1. an act of legislature finding a person guilty of treason or felony without trial.

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bill of attainder British  

noun

1. (formerly) a legislative act finding a person guilty without trial of treason or felony and declaring him attainted See also attainder

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Example Sentences

The legislation was also expected to face legal hurdles on First Amendment grounds as well as “bills of attainder” laws prohibiting the government from imposing a punishment on a specific entity without a formal trial.

From Washington Times

According to Mr. Dershowitz, the panel operated against the spirit of one of only two civil-liberties provisions in the original Constitution, before the Bill of Rights was added — a ban on “bills of attainder.”

From Washington Times

Next, the constitution specifically prohibits a type of law known as a “bill of attainder,” which is aimed at punishing specific individuals.

From Washington Post

Such a move could be seen as an unlawful “bill of attainder,” or a legislative act condemning a particular person, he said.

From Reuters

In the present case, this foundational principle is reinforced by a particularly relevant prohibition, Article I, Section 9, which prohibits “bills of attainder” — acts of Congress that punish specific individuals.

From Washington Post