Which Constitutional right forbids Congress from sending a person to prison? bill of attainder

bill of attainder

ex post facto law
ex post facto law

inalienable law
inalienable law

writ of habeas corpus

1 answer

The Constitutional right that forbids Congress from sending a person to prison without a trial is known as a bill of attainder. A bill of attainder is a legislative act that singles out and punishes an individual or group without a judicial trial, which is prohibited by the Constitution (specifically in Article I, Sections 9 and 10).

To clarify the other terms mentioned:

  • An ex post facto law is one that retroactively changes the legal consequences of actions that were committed before the law was enacted. This is also prohibited by the Constitution.
  • Inalienable law is not a term typically used in this context; it generally refers to rights that cannot be taken away or transferred.
  • The writ of habeas corpus is a legal procedure that allows individuals to seek relief from unlawful detention, ensuring that one cannot be held in custody without just cause.

So, in summary, the correct answer is the bill of attainder.