Definitions
- Referring to the process of charging a government official with misconduct or abuse of power. - Talking about the formal accusation of wrongdoing against a high-ranking public official, such as the President or a federal judge. - Describing the legal process of investigating and potentially removing a government official from office.
- Referring to the formal accusation of a crime by a grand jury. - Talking about the legal process of charging someone with a crime. - Describing the act of formally accusing someone of wrongdoing in a legal context.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve formal accusations of wrongdoing.
- 2Both are legal terms used in the United States.
- 3Both can result in legal consequences for the accused.
- 4Both require evidence to support the accusation.
- 5Both are serious charges that can damage a person's reputation.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Impeachment is typically reserved for high-ranking government officials, while indictment can apply to anyone accused of a crime.
- 2Process: Impeachment involves a political process, while indictment involves a legal process.
- 3Authority: Impeachment is conducted by Congress, while indictment is issued by a grand jury or prosecutor.
- 4Consequences: Impeachment can result in removal from office, while indictment can lead to a trial and potential imprisonment.
- 5Standard of proof: Impeachment requires a lower standard of proof than indictment, which requires probable cause.
Remember this!
Impeachment and indictment are both legal terms that involve formal accusations of wrongdoing. However, impeachment is a political process that applies to high-ranking government officials, while indictment is a legal process that can apply to anyone accused of a crime. Additionally, impeachment requires a lower standard of proof and can result in removal from office, while indictment requires probable cause and can lead to a trial and potential imprisonment.
