Legal Definitions - bill of pains and penalties

A bill of pains and penalties is a type of legislative act that prescribes punishment for a person or group of people. It is similar to a bill of attainder, but the punishment is less severe than capital punishment.

For example, a bill of pains and penalties could be passed to punish a government official for misconduct, such as embezzlement or abuse of power. The punishment could include fines, removal from office, or other penalties.

However, bills of pains and penalties are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution's ban on bills of attainder. This means that the legislative branch cannot pass a law that punishes a specific person or group without a trial in a court of law.

Overall, bills of pains and penalties are a way for the legislative branch to hold government officials accountable for their actions, but they must be careful not to violate the Constitution in the process.