Impeachment

1. Impeachment is a formal proceeding instituted by a public body (usually the legislature) for determining through a trial whether a public official—usually although not necessarily high ranking, and who has a fixed term of office or protected tenure—must be either removed from office or held accountable in other ways. The word impeachment means ‘accusation’ or ‘charge’ (Black 5) and pertains, in most jurisdictions, to the indictment stage of the entire proceeding. After a public official is impeached, trial follows to determine their guilt or innocence. 2. This...