TITLE: II. The Impeachment
Process and Challenges in
Connecticut
Vocabulary
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bill of attainder - a
legislative act that singles out one or more persons and imposes punishment on
them, without a trial.
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bi-partisan - supported by
members of two parties, especially two major political parties.
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categorical immunity – not
held responsible under any circumstances.
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compel – force someone to
do something.
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disclosure – making
something known that was previously unknown.
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due process – the
administration of justice according to established rules and principles.
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Ethics Commission advisory
opinion – a formal response from the Commission to persons who are subject to
the Code of Ethics that ask how the Code applies to specific situations.
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executive session – when
the public is excluded from the meeting of a public agency for purposes of
discussing personnel matters, pending litigation, security issues, real estate
deals or disclosure of public records.
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Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) - A law that requires the government to give out certain information
to the public when it receives a written request
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hearsay – testimony given
by a witness who relates not what he or she heard, saw, or knew personally,
but what others have said.
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hearsay rules – hearsay
testimony was allowed during the Select Committee of Inquiry hearings.
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impeach - to accuse a
public official of a crime while in office.
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in camera – a hearing or
inspection of documents that takes places in private.
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in limine – at the outset.
(usage: Attorney Ross Garber requests permission to file a motion in limine
prior to the calling of witnesses by the Select Committee of Inquiry.)
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inference - a logical
judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather
than on the basis of direct observation.
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jurisdiction – the power to
exercise authority over persons and things within a territory.
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justiciable - issues and
claims that can be properly examined in court.
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partisan – a member of a
political party.
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quorum – the minimum number
of members required to hold a meeting.
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Select Committee of Inquiry
to Recommend Whether Sufficient Grounds Exist for the House of Representatives
to Impeach Governor John Rowland – a group of ten Representatives assigned by
the House in House Resolution 702. Committee is referred to throughout the
unit as the Select Committee of Inquiry.
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separation of powers – the
idea that government is most free and effective when the powers and functions
of government are divided amongst separate, independent governmental
institutions.
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Speaker of the House –
Elected by the Majority party to preside over the session of the House. Sets
the agenda for the party issues and controls which bills are debated on the
floor.
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special counsel – a lawyer
appointed for a particular purpose. (Attorney Steven Reich was appointed as
Special Counsel for the Select Committee of Inquiry.)
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standing – the right or
capacity to initiate a suit.
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State Ethics Commission –
in Connecticut, a nine member panel created to administer and enforce the
State's Codes of Ethics.
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stay – an order forbidding
an action until an event occurs or the order is lifted.
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subpoena – an order
requiring an individual to testify.