Anaya Nolan
A law that targets a specific person is known as a bill of attainder. While there is no single term to describe this collection of unjust laws, a bill of attainder is a criminal statute or regulation that targets a particular person. The bill of attainder is forbidden by the constitution and its effect is to nullify the targeted person's civil rights, including the right to own property and the right to life. The last bill of attainder passed in the UK was in 1820, targeting Queen Caroline and King George IV. In the US, President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting specific law firms have been criticized as bills of attainder. If you believe you are being targeted by the government or another organization, it is important to seek legal help and understand your rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a law targeting a specific person called? | Bill of Attainder |
| What does a Bill of Attainder do? | Nullifies the targeted person's civil rights, including the right to own property, the right to a title of nobility, and the right to life |
| What is an example of a Bill of Attainder? | The Pains and Penalties Bill of 1820, which sought to divorce Queen Caroline from King George IV and adjust her titles and property on the grounds of alleged adultery |
| Are Bills of Attainder still passed? | No, the last Bill of Attainder passed in the UK was in 1820, and attainder ceased to be a part of punishment in 1870 |
| Are there other terms for laws that unfairly target specific people or groups? | Unconstitutional animus, violates substantive due process |
| What should you do if you believe you are being targeted? | Contact a lawyer specializing in constitutional law, build a support network, and document everything that is happening |
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What You'll Learn
- Laws targeting specific people are called bills of attainder
- Such bills nullify a person's civil rights, including the right to own property
- They are forbidden by the US Constitution
- Targeted Individuals (TIs) can seek legal help and file lawsuits
- TIs can contact specialists in constitutional law for support
Laws targeting specific people are called bills of attainder
Laws targeting specific people are called "bills of attainder". A bill of attainder is a law that declares a person or group of people guilty of a crime and imposes a punishment, typically without a trial. The term "attainder" refers to the nullification of a person's civil rights, including the right to own property, hold titles of nobility, and, in some cases, the right to life. The first use of a bill of attainder was in 1321 against Hugh le Despenser, the 1st Earl of Winchester, and his son, who were both attainted for supporting King Edward II.
Bills of attainder have been used throughout history, but they are now considered unconstitutional in many countries due to their potential for abuse and violation of legal principles. For example, in the United States, the Constitution expressly prohibits the federal government from enacting bills of attainder to protect the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, no bills of attainder have been passed since 1820, and attainder ceased to be a part of legal punishment in 1870.
Despite their prohibition, there have been recent instances of legislation that has been criticized as being akin to bills of attainder. For example, in 2011, the House voted to defund Planned Parenthood, which was criticized by Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler as a bill of attainder targeting a specific group. In 2021, North Carolina's "Blackbeard's Law" was also challenged as being a bill of attainder, and it was eventually repealed in 2023.
In conclusion, while laws targeting specific people, or bills of attainder, may have been used historically, they are now widely considered unconstitutional due to their infringement on civil rights and the potential for abuse. As such, modern legislation that targets specific individuals or groups is often met with scrutiny and criticism.
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Such bills nullify a person's civil rights, including the right to own property
A law that targets a specific person or group is called a "bill of attainder." This is a law declaring them guilty of a crime and providing for a punishment, often without a trial. As a result, the targeted person's civil rights are nullified, including the right to own property and pass it on to their heirs, the right to a title of nobility, and, in some cases, the right to life. In English common law, a person condemned for a serious crime such as treason or felony could be declared "attainted," resulting in the loss of their civil rights, including the right to own or pass on property.
Historically, bills of attainder have been used to target specific individuals or groups, such as the 1820 Pains and Penalties Bill in the United Kingdom, which sought to divorce Queen Caroline from King George IV and adjust her titles and property due to alleged adultery. In more recent times, attempts have been made to pass similar bills in Canada in 1984 and 1995, targeting specific individuals. In the United States, there have been instances where laws or executive orders have been criticized as being akin to bills of attainder, such as the 2011 House vote to defund Planned Parenthood and President Donald Trump's 2025 executive order targeting specific law firms.
The U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated laws under the Attainder Clause on several occasions, including Ex parte Garland (1866) and Cummings v. Missouri (1867), where the Court overturned laws requiring certain individuals to swear they had not supported the rebellion, as they penalized people without a judicial trial. While civil laws that unfairly target an individual may be permissible depending on the context, criminal statutes that target a particular person are considered bills of attainder and are forbidden by the Constitution.
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They are forbidden by the US Constitution
A law that targets a specific person is called a "bill of attainder". Generally, this is a law declaring them guilty of some crime, though it might not be the case. Bills of attainder are forbidden by the US Constitution, both to the federal government and the states. The US Supreme Court has invalidated laws under the Attainder Clause on five occasions.
The key feature of a bill of attainder is that it imposes "punishment" without a judicial trial. The Supreme Court has held that the legislative branch is not suited to ruling upon the blameworthiness of, and levying appropriate punishment upon, specific persons. The Court has also stated that laws seeking to direct judicial power are unconstitutional, while laws concerning mandatory sentencing, rules of evidence, non-punitive imprisonment, or tests are constitutional.
In the history of England, the word "attainder" refers to people who were declared "attainted", meaning that their civil rights were nullified: they could no longer own property or pass property to their family by will or testament. Attainted people would normally be punished by judicial execution, with the property left behind escheated to the Crown or lord.
In 2011, the House voted to defund Planned Parenthood. Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler called that vote a bill of attainder, saying it was unconstitutional as such because the legislation was targeting a specific group. In January 2017, the House reinstated the Holman Rule, a procedural rule that enables lawmakers to reduce the pay of an individual federal worker down to $1. It was once again removed at the beginning of the 116th United States Congress in January 2019, after Democrats had taken control of the chamber.
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Targeted Individuals (TIs) can seek legal help and file lawsuits
A law that targets a specific person is known as a "bill of attainder". This type of law is forbidden by the constitution and serves to nullify the targeted individual's civil rights, including the right to own property and the right to life. While bills of attainder have not been passed in the UK since 1820, there have been more recent examples in the US, such as President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting specific law firms.
If you believe you are a targeted individual (TI), it is crucial to seek professional help. This can involve contacting mental health professionals and support helplines, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Building a support network of trusted friends and family is also vital, as is documenting any incidents, including dates, times, and witnesses.
Additionally, targeted individuals can and should seek legal help to protect their rights and explore their options for legal recourse. Organisations like Targeted Justice exist to assist TIs in dealing with the government or other organisations that may be targeting them. TIs can also file lawsuits against state and federal governments, utilising the United States Constitution and its Amendments/Rights. These lawsuits can be filed in Superior Court for state cases and District Courts for federal cases.
It is important to remember that if you are a targeted individual, you are not alone. There are people who care and want to help, so don't hesitate to reach out and seek the assistance you need to cope with your situation.
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TIs can contact specialists in constitutional law for support
A law that targets a specific person is called a "bill of attainder". Generally, this is a law declaring a person guilty of a crime, though it might not apply if the law is designed in a way that only happens to apply to one person. Bills of attainder are forbidden by the constitution.
Targeted Individuals (TIs) can seek support from specialists in constitutional law to understand their rights and legal options. TIs can file lawsuits for harm done to them based on federal or state civil codes, which are different from criminal codes. They can file lawsuits against state and federal governments using the Constitution (Amendments/Rights). The Fourteenth Amendment, for example, allows for lawsuits in state and federal courts.
In the United States, TIs can refer to the United States Constitution and Treaties, the United States Civil and Criminal Codes, and the United States Supreme Court/Circuit Court Case Law to understand their rights and legal options. They can sue for actual damages, punitive damages, injunction (court order), or declaratory relief.
Additionally, TIs can seek support from specialists in constitutional law to understand the distinction between laws that are constitutional and those that are not. Laws that direct judicial power are unconstitutional, while those concerning mandatory sentencing, rules of evidence, non-punitive imprisonment, or tests are constitutional. TIs can also understand the specific laws in their state, as state parliaments may have different rules regarding the granting of parole to specific prisoners.
Specialists in constitutional law can provide TIs with the necessary legal knowledge and support to navigate their specific situations and seek justice.
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Frequently asked questions
A law that targets a specific person is called a "bill of attainder".
The bill of attainder nullifies the targeted person's civil rights, including the right to own property, the right to a title of nobility, and the right to life.
In 2025, President Donald Trump's executive order targeting specific law firms was criticized as being essentially a bill of attainder. In 2011, Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler also called the House vote to defund Planned Parenthood a bill of attainder.
Bills of attainder are forbidden by the constitution and are therefore illegal. Civil laws that unfairly target an individual may be permissible depending on the details of the case.
If you believe you are a targeted individual, it is important to seek legal help. You can contact a lawyer specializing in constitutional law, or reach out to organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union or your state's bar association.
