Section. 3.
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.
This is not legal advice. I am not your lawyer.
First, notice how classy it is, referring to the United States as a plural. I dig that.
Ok, but second, this is the only crime, per se, defined in the constitution. Treason is only levvying war against the United States or giving aid and comfort to their enemies. It’s not, for example, spitting on the sidewalk or yelling at a politician, not that anybody would ever call that treason. Also, note that a conviction of treason cannot be accomplished with but a single witness to an overt act, or on confession in open Court. Confessions online aren’t enough, unless you’re sitting in court when you post online.
And look, again, I’m not your lawyer, but don’t post online when you’re sitting in court. That’s not legal advice, it’s just curmudgeon advice.
And finally, we reassert, we aren’t in favor of corruption of the blood or “forfeiture” except during the lifetime of the person convicted of Treason. Just because Uncle Dave did a couple of light treasons back in his wooly high school days doesn’t mean cousin Louise gets convicted.Next week is really a lot of cleanup.
We’ll get another double next week, with Article IV, Sections 1 and 2. Protip, be sure to sufficiently bate your breath as you wait for this one.