Bill of attainder

What bill of attainder means

In short, bill of attainder is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.

Where bill of attainder comes up

The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.

Read the source: U.S. Constitution art. I, § 9.

How to research the term

Start with the primary source. For example, if bill of attainder appears in a federal rule, read the rule itself and its official notes. After that, check your court’s local rules and any standing orders from the judge. In addition, search recent decisions from your own state or federal district. They show how courts read bill of attainder in practice. Because state rules often differ, our state procedures guide links to each state’s official rules. Above all, make sure the version you read is still in force.

You can read the current federal court rules online for free.

Related legal terms

• Beneficiary: a person entitled to benefit from a trust, will or other arrangement.
• Benefit: an advantage, gain or payment. A beneficiary is the person entitled to the benefit of a trust, insurance policy or will. In contract damages, the "benefit of the bargain" is what the injured party would have received if the contract had been performed. Government benefits include payments such as Social Security.
• Beyond a reasonable doubt: the standard of proof in criminal cases. The prosecution must prove every element of the crime to this level, which the Supreme Court held the Due Process Clause requires in In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358 (1970).
• Bid bond: a surety bond submitted with a bid on a construction contract that guarantees the bidder will enter into the contract and provide any required performance and payment bonds if its bid is accepted. Federal Acquisition Regulation rules address bid guarantees on federal construction contracts.

Why precise terms matter

Legal words often look like everyday words, but they can carry a precise meaning. Because of that, a small misreading can change how you understand a deadline, a duty or a right. Our glossary keeps each definition short and links it to the procedures where it matters.