Michigan Constitution Article XI Section 7 – Impeachment of civil officers
Terms Used In Michigan Constitution Article XI Section 7 - Impeachment of civil officers
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Impeachment: (1) The process of calling something into question, as in "impeaching the testimony of a witness." (2) The constitutional process whereby the House of Representatives may "impeach" (accuse of misconduct) high officers of the federal government for trial in the Senate.
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeaching civil officers for corrupt conduct in office or for crimes or misdemeanors, but a majority of the members elected thereto and serving therein shall be necessary to direct an impeachment.
When an impeachment is directed, the house of representatives shall elect three of its members to prosecute the impeachment.
Every impeachment shall be tried by the senate immediately after the final adjournment of the legislature. The senators shall take an oath or affirmation truly and impartially to try and determine the impeachment according to the evidence. When the governor or lieutenant governor is tried, the chief justice of the supreme court shall preside.
No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators elected and serving. Judgment in case of conviction shall not extend further than removal from office, but the person convicted shall be liable to punishment according to law.
No judicial officer shall exercise any of the functions of his office after an impeachment is directed until he is acquitted.