Legal Dictionary
Impeachment
Definition
The action of calling into question the integrity or validity of something.
Deep Dive
Impeachment, in its most prominent legal and political context, refers to the formal process by which a legislative body initiates charges of wrongdoing against a public official. This is an accusation, not a conviction, and if successful, typically leads to a trial where the official may be removed from office. The process underscores a system of checks and balances, allowing for accountability when officials are suspected of serious misconduct, such as treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Examples & Use Cases
- 1The House of Representatives voted to impeach a president for alleged abuses of power, leading to a Senate trial.
- 2During a fraud trial, the defense attorney successfully impeached a key witness's testimony by revealing previous contradictory statements made under oath.
- 3A company's internal audit team impeached the validity of several financial transactions, initiating a deeper investigation into accounting practices.
Related Terms
CensureIndictmentNo-Confidence Vote